In this section of the Farewell Discourse the disciples are warned that the world will hate them. This is true for us as well as we are also disciples of Jesus. When we encounter hate from the world we can be reassured that Jesus is with us, because He gave us the Holy Spirit, and we are therefore capable of continuing to obey Jesus’ commands even in difficult circumstances.
Jesus asks His followers to keep His commands so that they can remain in His love, experience the joy of Jesus, the friendship of Jesus. This is how God’s plan will be made known.
Read MoreAs Jesus prepares to leave His disciples He uses the analogy of the vine and the branches to encourage His disciples to remain in Him. As we are also Jesus’ disciples, His prized possession, we can know that these words are also for us. Jesus promises that if we remain in Him whatever we ask for will be done. When this is lived out in our lives we will bear fruit and this will bring glory to the Father.
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