John 15:9-17

The lectionary text for this week begins at 15:9, but as I shared last week, this text should be read as a part of a larger unit, which includes the lectionary text for last week (15:1-8).

Context

Preparing the Disciples for the Cross

Remember, in John’s narrative, this whole discourse – with its talk of vines and branches, abiding and bearing fruit – is set in the context of the evening before Christ’s death; it’s all about preparing his disciples for his death. In the first eight verses of Chapter 15, Jesus uses the imagery of the vine and its branches to show how connected he and his disciples are. In this week’s Gospel text (15:9-17), we get more insight into what it means to be connected to Jesus, to abide in…