Fruit Bearing Made Easy

John 15:1-17 These are some of the words that Jesus spoke to His disciples after they had eaten the last supper. In fact, chapters 13 through 17 are all part of His last evening with them. While other gospel writers use only part of a chapter - John uses five. Even though He tries to give them so much information, they really are not even on the same page. The substance of these verses is not so they will be nice people and get nice goodies when they get to heaven. It is not even so that what they do will offer good and pleasant “food” for those that come in contact with them. The point that Jesus is trying to get across is that what He came to do must not die with the current generation. In all fruit is the stuff necessary for reproduction. In it are the seeds from which will spring the new generation. No seeds — no fruit — no new generation. Everything comes to an end. It is the same thing that if babies stopped being born, human life would not continue beyond that generation. Jesus is saying that in order for fruit to be produced, the branches that the fruit grows on must stay attached to the vine; otherwise no life can flow from the vine and through the branch and produce the fruit. In the grocery store we like to buy the seedless oranges. It is great not having to contend with the seeds that get in the way, but there is nothing in there that will produce the next generation. How often do our lives bear seedless fruit? Looks good, tastes good, may even look and sound very religious, but it doesn’t produce life in those we contact. Do we need to try harder? No - just stay attached to the vine, so that the life of Jesus can flow through us. Jesus said, “If you keep My commands, you will remain in My love." His command is that we love one another as He has loved us. This kind of love can only be drawn from our attachment to Him. Remember, good fruit doesn’t grow over night it is produced over long relationships.