Grace Baby, Grace

John 15:9-17

In John 15:9-17, Jesus teaches about the fundamental nature of his relationship with his disciples, which is centered around love and obedience. He begins by comparing his love for his disciples to the love the Father has for him and commands them to remain in his love. Jesus explains that staying in his love requires obedience to his commands, just as he remains in his Father’s love through obedience.

This passage highlights the importance of mutual love, obedience, and the transformation from servants to friends. It showcases the deep, reciprocal relationship that Jesus seeks to have with his followers. Jesus explains that he teaches these principles to fill his disciples with joy. He gives a clear command for the disciples to love one another, using his own sacrificial love as the benchmark. He stresses that the highest form of love is to lay down one's life for friends, which he identifies the disciples as, if they follow his commands.

Jesus established a strong bond with his disciples, which went beyond a typical master-servant relationship. He regarded them as friends because he shared everything he learned from his Father with them. This indicates a level of transparency and mutual respect. Jesus expressed that it was he who chose them, rather than the other way around, and appointed them to go out and produce lasting fruit. He reassured them that their prayers would be answered if made in his name, reinforcing their connection to him and their mission. Lastly, he emphasized the significance of loving each other, framing it not just as a suggestion, but as a command central to their identity and life as his followers.

Authorship

The Gospel of John has been traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, who was one of Jesus' closest disciples. However, modern scholarship views it differently. According to recent studies, it is believed to be the product of a community of followers of the "Beloved Disciple." This community possibly existed in Ephesus, around the end of the first century AD (90-110 AD). Scholars also suggest that the gospel's sophisticated theology and distinct style indicate that it was shaped by a community's reflections on the life and teachings of Jesus over time. (Brown 335).

Audience

The Gospel of John was composed for a group of people who had likely been banished from the synagogues, and were attempting to discover their identity within a predominantly non-Christian society. Although the audience was knowledgeable about Jewish customs, they were also substantially influenced by Hellenistic culture and philosophy. This context provides insight into the Gospel's emphasis on cosmic and philosophical themes, which are presented in a way that harmonizes Jewish and Hellenistic concepts. (Köstenberger 142).

Key Themes

The Vine and the Branches: In the book of John, chapter 15, verses 1 to 11, Jesus uses the analogy of a "true vine" and his followers as "branches" to stress the importance of staying connected to him for spiritual growth and productivity. This metaphor highlights the central theme of the Gospel of John, which emphasizes that having a deep and intimate relationship with Jesus is crucial for salvation and a fulfilling life. (Köstenberger 145).

Love and Obedience: The chapter emphasizes the significance of love and obedience, portraying them as two intertwined expressions of discipleship. Jesus instructs his followers to love one another in the same way he has loved them. This commandment is presented as a moral obligation, as well as a relational concept that defines the community. (Carson 117).

Persecution and the World's Hatred: Jesus cautioned his disciples regarding the inevitable persecution that they would encounter from the world. This particular warning deeply resonated with the Johannine community, which had firsthand experiences of being marginalized and facing conflicts with both Jewish and Gentile opponents. (Brown 627).

Historical Context

The Gospel of John is believed to have been written to address the theological debates and challenges faced by a Christian community during the late first century. The community was grappling with issues surrounding the nature of Christ, the significance of faith, and the role of love in Christian life. In particular, John 15 and the Farewell Discourse served as a means to strengthen the community against both internal and external pressures. The teachings of Jesus were deepened to foster a more cohesive and loving community in response to persecution. (O'Day 404).

Exegesis

John 15:9

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love."

  • Exegesis: Jesus starts by affirming that his love for his disciples comes from a divine source, comparing it to the love that the Father has for him. He commands them to "remain" in his love, emphasizing the importance of actively engaging in the relationship and abiding in his love as a requirement for being a disciple. (Brown 670).

John 15:10

"If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love."

  • Exegesis: Living in obedience to Jesus' commands is a direct manifestation of our commitment to His love. Jesus himself exemplified this relationship by obeying the Father and reciprocating His love. Through this ideal model, Jesus teaches his disciples the way to live in a harmonious connection with him. (Carson 525).

John 15:11

"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

  • Exegesis: Jesus emphasizes the purpose of his teachings: to transfer his own joy to the disciples, making their joy complete. This joy stems from living in a relationship of love and obedience, which fulfills the divine purpose and brings about complete spiritual fulfillment (Köstenberger 448).

John 15:12

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."

  • Exegesis: While the notion of commanding love is not new, the Christian measure of this love is distinct. According to the Bible, Jesus' love for humanity, as demonstrated through his life and forthcoming death, sets the benchmark for his followers to emulate in their love for one another. (O'Day 761).

John 15:13

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."

  • Exegesis: This verse beautifully expresses the purest form of love - a love that is willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of others. It gives us a glimpse of Jesus' own selfless sacrifice on the cross and sets a high standard for the community to follow. (Brown 674).

John 15:14

"You are my friends if you do what I command."

  • Exegesis: Becoming friends with Jesus is not just a matter of belief but also a matter of obedience. Our obedience is a way of expressing our love for Him. When we obey Him, our relationship with Him moves away from the traditional master-servant dynamic and towards a more intimate and reciprocal friendship. (Carson 527).

John 15:15

"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my father I have made known to you."

  • Exegesis: The transition from having servants to befriending them emphasizes the importance of being open and sharing knowledge. In the case of Jesus and his disciples, Jesus freely shared everything he had learned from his Father, including insights into divine purposes and missions. (Köstenberger 450).

John 15:16

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name, he will give you."

  • Exegesis: This verse highlights the idea that it's God who takes the first step in our relationship with Him. Jesus carefully selected his disciples for a specific reason, they were to produce long-lasting fruit, which includes both good moral behavior and successful missionary work. The assurance of having their prayers answered gave them divine backing as they embarked on their mission. (O'Day 764).

John 15:17

"This is my command: Love each other."

  • Exegesis: Jesus reiterates the commandment to love, which is the central ethic of his teaching and the foundational principle for the community's life together. This commandment embodies the ethical and relational dynamics that are expected within the Johannine community. (Carson 529).

John 15:9-17 Through the Lens of Wesleyan/Methodist Theology

John 15:9-17 delves into the intricate relationship between love, obedience, and discipleship. This passage can be viewed through the lens of Wesleyan/Methodist theology, which places emphasis on the transformational power of grace and the pursuit of Christian perfection. According to John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, Christian perfection means having perfect love in intention and action towards God and one's neighbor. Wesley would likely interpret these verses in this context.

John 15:9

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love."

  • Wesleyan Interpretation: Wesley emphasized the importance of divine love as a model for leading a Christian life. He preached that abiding in the love of Christ was essential for spiritual health and growth towards spiritual perfection. To achieve this, one must continually rely on God's grace and commit to living according to His commandments. Wesley believed that divine love was perfect and sacrificial, and that it should serve as a guiding principle for Christians in their daily lives. (Collins 112).

John 15:10

"If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love."

  • Wesleyan Interpretation: In Wesleyan theology, obedience to God's commands is considered crucial. According to Wesley, this obedience comes naturally as a result of God's sanctifying grace, which empowers believers to live in a way that pleases God and remains in His love. (Maddox 87).

John 15:11

"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

  • Wesleyan Interpretation: Wesley held the belief that Christians find their happiness in their connection with God and their obedience to His commands. This sense of joy is a crucial part of the assurance that believers receive by adhering to a holy way of life, which is one of the foundational principles of Wesleyan belief and practice. (Heitzenrater 139).

John 15:12

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."

  • Wesleyan Interpretation: For Wesley, love was at the core of both the law and the gospel. He believed that this commandment was paramount to Christian ethics and reflected the law of Christ. To love others as Christ did means to demonstrate a selfless and sacrificial love that goes beyond mere affection to practical acts of kindness and charity. (Outler 45).

John 15:13

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."

  • Wesleyan Interpretation: Wesley was known to frequently speak of God's love, which he believed was best exemplified through Christ's sacrifice. He would often use a particular verse to emphasize the importance of Christian martyrdom in daily life, where one puts aside personal desires to care for others as a demonstration of Christ's love. (Wesley, Sermon 58).

John 15:14-15

"You are my friends if you do what I command... I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my father I have made known to you."

  • Wesleyan Interpretation: These verses held great significance for Wesley as they transformed the relationship from one of mere obligation to one of genuine friendship. According to Wesley, this meant that the faithful were not just mere servants, but also friends of Christ, bestowed with profound spiritual insights and required to respond with corresponding devotion. (Maddox 105).

1 John 3:24

"Those who keep his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us."

  • Wesleyan Interpretation: The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a confirmation of God's presence in a believer's life. Wesley often spoke of the Holy Spirit's role in providing the assurance of salvation and enabling believers to live out God’s commandments effectively (Maddox 105).

John 15:16

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name, he will give you."

  • Wesleyan Interpretation: Wesley emphasized the role of divine intervention in both salvation and sanctification, interpreting the call to bear fruit as an invitation to engage in effective and sustained Christian witness and ethical conduct, all of which are made possible by the grace of God. (Wesley, Sermon 86).

John 15:17

"This is my command: Love each other."

  • Wesleyan Interpretation: Wesley believed that true faith was exemplified by the command to love, which he considered the essence of the Christian ethic. He emphasized the importance of social holiness, whereby believers express their faith through loving actions in community. (Outler 49).

Works Cited