The Gospel of John is a rich and deep book to dive into. My professor said it was so deep an elephant could swim in it, but so easy to start reading a child could wade into it. It is loaded with word pictures to help us understand who Jesus is and the message He brought to us.
In John 10, Jesus gives a teaching about the Good Shepherd and his sheep. Jesus compares Himself to things in the real world his audience was familiar with. In John 6, He’s the Bread of Life. In John 8, He’s the Light of the World. There are actually two in John 10. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, but He’s also the door.
We get a beautiful description of Jesus and His love and care for us as our shepherd in the beginning of the chapter. He knows us and we know Him. But in verses 7-10 of that passage, Jesus says He is the door or gate for the sheep. In verse 9, He says, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved.” Then in verse 10, Jesus contrasts His purpose with that of Satan, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Jesus is offering not only life, but abundant life. A life that is more than we even need. A life that goes beyond ourselves and allows us to live as both a blessing to others and a testimony to the truth of who God is. We are called to a full life in Him, and not just full, but running over the edges. Abundant life, life that has an impact wherever it goes, not because of ourselves, but because of Christ in us, the hope of glory. It’s a life we want. We should all want an abundant life, but how do we obtain it and what does that look like?
To understand that, there is another passage in John that is helpful, in John 15:1-17
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
If you’ve ever tried to grow a plant, you know how important proper soil, water and sunshine are. Vines are no different, but sometimes they can be deceiving. In America, we have different types of Ivy, which can take over an entire wall or the side of a house. You might see a thick mass of green larger than the room you’re in. In Jesus’ analogy, you would be looking at the branches.
It is easy to look at the healthy growth of the branches and assume that what is visible is the most important part of the plant, but that’s not right. The branches aren’t the vine. They only look healthy and strong because of their connection to the source, the vine planted in the earth. Without that vine, the branches will wither and die. Without the vine, they will not be healthy. They won’t bear fruit. To abide means to stay connected to the vine. To remain in Him. To remain connected to Jesus. That is the secret to abundance of life. We abide in Jesus. We rest in Him.
By abiding in Christ, we’re promised this abundance of life that Jesus talked about in John 10. This is illustrated in three verses John 14:27, 15:10, and 15:11.
14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
This is the first fruit. The peace of Christ. This is not the peace of the world. It is something far better than that. It is a peace that is eternal. When we abide in Christ, we have His peace. The peace that cures a troubled heart and removes the fear of this world. It’s a peace we can share with a world that is desperately afraid of what they see and what is to come. A peace that flows out of a life abiding in Him.
John 15:10 – If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
When we abide in Christ, we have His love. That sacrificial love. A love that goes beyond human emotion. Jesus ties abiding in His love to keeping His commandments. He’s removing the pressure of knowing what to do. We live according to the rules the creator of the universe established. Clear commands that guide our lives in abiding in Him. It’s a love we can share with a world hungry for true love. A love that flows out of a life abiding in Him.
John 15:11 – “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
We can have access to Christ’s joy through the word of God. Fullness of joy. A joy that doesn’t run out. Something so much greater than happiness. We aren’t bound by the daily ups and downs of our life on this earth, but by the truth of a security with our creator. A joy that we can share. A joy that flows out of a life abiding in Him.
The fruitfulness of having Christ’s peace, love and joy in our lives is the impact on the world. As we live as repentant beings, fully humbled in Christ so that it is His peace, love and joy the world sees, we can bear the blessed fruit of seeing people respond by coming to know Him. They become the fruit we have the privilege of introducing to the vine, to Christ.
The world doesn’t forgive. The world doesn’t know peace in the face of chaos and difficulties. The world only loves in return or out of selfish motives. The joy of the world is fading or often comes at the expense of others.
But as we live this life, abiding in Christ. As we exchange our old life, the life of the flesh, for a new life that is Christ’s, we show the world the message that we proclaim. That our only hope is in Him and that their only hope is to believe and give their lives over to Him.
Seeing God 