This time we are looking at the last of the series of 7 I AM statements of Jesus found in the gospel of John.  As we’ve worked through these statements, we’ve seen that each one reveals how Jesus fulfills the spiritual needs of humans.[1]  Let’s summarize the 7 statements.

The bread of life is the spiritual food that gives eternal life (1).  Jesus is the light in darkness (2).  He is the entrance into security and fellowship(3) , he is the guide and protector in life( 4), He is hope in death (5), he is certainty in perplexity (6) and he is the source of vitality for productiveness (7).[2]  In all these statements Jesus is expressing his desire for humanity “He desired that people should receive him, not simply for what he might give them, but for what he might be to them.”[3]  This time we look at the 7th and final “I AM” statement in John 15:1-11.

“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. (John 15:1-11)

In this final I AM statement we return to a simple analogy that Jesus uses to illustrate a spiritual truth.  The imagery is of a vineyard and a farmer and would be a familiar one to Jesus’ listeners, both historically and physically.  Historically, the Israelites had been described in the Old Testament as God’s vineyard (Psalm 80; Isa 5:1-7).  Physically, vineyards were a common sight in Israel. 

Jesus emphasizes first that he is the true vine.  There are many types of vines in the world, but only the true vine produces the desired fruit.  Historically, Israel was to be God’s vineyard, but for the most part they failed to produce the fruit that God the vinedresser desired. As the true vine, Jesus does produce the desired fruit.[4]  Through Jesus, and only through Jesus, people can access God the Father.  Thus, Jesus fulfills what Israel as a nation was unable to do.

The second feature of this I AM statement is that God is the vinedresser or farmer.  The responsible farmer takes care of the vineyard: “He tends it, waters it, and endeavors to protect it and cultivate it so that it will produce its maximum yield.”[5]  The care of the vines includes the paradoxical process of pruning.  By strategically cutting back the vines, the farmer increases the yield.  The speaks to the process of growing as a believer; God must work in people’s hearts and lives, pruning, trimming, and shaping. It is again about relationship.  Just as we saw earlier in this series, Jesus as the shepherd has an owner’s interest in his sheep, so here the farmer (God) is invested in the health and growth of his crop.

As God is portrayed as the farmer, and Jesus as the vine, so disciples are portrayed as the branches of the vine.  It is common sense that only as the branches remain in the vine that they bear fruit.  This is about the connection and relationship between Jesus and people.  It must be emphasized that a fruitless life is evidence that someone is not a genuine believer.  Without relationship and connection with Jesus people are like a cut off branch that withers and dries up.  By remaining vitally connected to Jesus, the true vine, followers of Jesus are enabled through him, to produce the fruit that God desires. [6]

Much of the lesson of the Old Testament is that without a vital connection to Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit in every believer, people are simply unable to do what God desires.  The only solution is Jesus, the true vine, the only access to God the father.  Believers grow by being connected to the true vine and specifically by obeying Jesus, reading the scriptures and prayer.  Notice in this analogy that the outcome of the branches that remain in the vine is never in doubt.  The promise is that those who remain in Jesus will bear fruit.

We talked 2 weeks ago about how resurrection life starts now for those who choose to follow Jesus.  Today again we see that life is not just about waiting for eternity.  The vine produces the vitality essential for the life of the branches right now.  Not only are believers branches in the vine, but believers are invited into the fellowship of God the Father and Jesus the son right now.  This fellowship is all about love and is probably a bigger deal than people realize.  It is an amazing privilege to be part of Jesus, the true vine, in relationship with God the Father. [7]  This does not just happen though: followers of Jesus are given an instruction with a promise.  “Abide in my love – if you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love.” (John 15:9-10)

As people abide in Jesus’ love, they abide in the fellowship of the Trinity.  Hanging out in that kind of company there is only one result.  The fruit of a life lived in Jesus is love – love for God and love for others.[8]  This kind of love produces joy.  “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11)


[1] Barker and Kohlenberger III eds, Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition: New Testament, 1994, pg 316
[2] Barker and Kohlenberger III eds, Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition: New Testament, 1994, pg 316
[3] Barker and Kohlenberger III eds, Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition: New Testament, 1994, pg 316
[4] Kruse, C. G. (2003). John: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 4, p. 311). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[5] Barker and Kohlenberger III eds, Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition: New Testament, 1994, pg 350
[6] Barker and Kohlenberger III eds, Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition: New Testament, 1994, pg 350
[7] Kruse, C. G. (2003). John: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 4, p. 315). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[8] Arrington and Stronstad eds, Life in the Spirit New Testament Commentary, 1999 pg 90

We are continuing our series on the 7 “I AM” statements of Jesus found in the gospel of John.  Each statement reveals how Jesus fulfills the spiritual needs of humans.[1] Today we continue with the fifth “I am” statement, found in John chapter 11.

“Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles[c] off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[d] Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” (John 11:17-27)

The background to this I AM statement is the story of the death of Lazarus (John 11).  Lazarus is the brother of Mary and Martha who were both close to Jesus.  Lazarus had become ill and is on the point of death; Mary and Martha send a message to Jesus asking him to come quickly to Lazarus.  However, after receiving the message Jesus stayed where he was for 2 more days, before departing on the 2 day journey. This is significant because Jewish belief was that the soul of a dead person remained with the body for 3 days with the possibility of resuscitation.[2] By delaying his trip Jesus ensures that he arrives more than 3 days after Lazarus’ death and highlights the miracle that he is about to do, removing other potential explanations.

When Jesus arrives Mary expresses what they were thinking ““Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:32) Mary and Martha assume Jesus could have healed Lazarus, but they do not realize that he has power over death as well as life. Jesus has a bigger plan than any of them have imagined.
As Martha is wondering why Jesus had not come to them sooner “Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”” (John 11:23-26).  Here we have our fifth I AM statement.

In this I AM statement Jesus reveals much more about himself than he has to this point in the gospel of John. The previous I AM statements have all been metaphors, pointing to the truth and reality of eternal life, but not explicitly stating it. There is no metaphor to unpack this time, just an astonishing story that challenges and encourages faith.  What is revealed about Jesus in this I AM statement is that “He is hope in death”[3]  Let’s get back to the story of Lazarus and see what happens.

Once Jesus arrives where Lazarus has been buried, he asks to see the tomb.  At Jesus’ request the stone covering Lazarus’ tomb is removed, Jesus prays to God, and calls for Lazarus to come out of the tomb. Amazingly, astonishingly, Lazarus rises and walks out of the tomb. Can you imagine watching a man who had been dead for 4 days come walking out of a tomb? This miracle proved that Jesus has power over death and foreshadows his own resurrection. This I AM statement and the story of Lazarus reveals three specific things.[4]

1. Jesus himself is the resurrection and the life
As Jesus has authority to both lay down and take up his own life, so he has authority over all life. The Bible tells us that all life is sustained in and through Jesus. “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  (Col 1:15-17)
 
2. Believers will be raised on the last day
Secondly, we learn that those who believe in Jesus will be raised again. Many Jews, including Martha, believed that there would be a resurrection from the dead. However, the resurrection of Lazarus reveals something unexpected; that Jesus has resurrection power right now.
 
3. Believers will never die
Finally, we learn that spiritually, followers of Jesus will never die. The final generation of Christians alive when Jesus returns will not die physically, but everyone else will. Though most people will die physically, no one must die spiritually. Through relationship with Jesus people receive both resurrection and life as the story of Lazarus shows. When someone places their faith in Jesus, their new life begins right now as Jesus taught the pharisee Nicodemus (John 3).
 
It is through a relationship with Jesus that people experience spiritual life. What has been revealed in this I AM statement is that resurrection is available right now. Because Jesus has power over life and death, he has the power of resurrection everywhere, all the time. Resurrection isn’t just about some far-off moment and vague statements about eternal life. New life can begin right now, because of Jesus.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[b] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Cor 5:17). When you choose to follow Jesus, eternity starts today.


[1] Barker and Kohlenberger III eds, Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition: New Testament, 1994, pg 316
[2] Kruse, C. G. (2003). John: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 4, p. 252). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[3] Barker and Kohlenberger III eds, Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition: New Testament, 1994, pg 316
[4] Kruse, C. G. (2003). John: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 4, p. 248). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.