If
you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.
John 15:7
John 15 [1.] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man doesn’t remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.
John 15 [8.] “In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples. Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love. I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full.
Meaning:
This verse encapsulates profound truths about the relationship between Jesus and His followers, as well as the principles of prayer and spiritual fruitfulness.
- Abiding in Jesus:
The key to experiencing the fulfillment of Jesus' promise lies in remaining in Him. This concept of abiding speaks to a deep, intimate connection with Jesus—a relationship characterized by trust, obedience, and dependence. Just as branches draw their life and sustenance from the vine, so too do believers draw their spiritual nourishment from their union with Christ. This echoes Jesus' earlier analogy in John 15:5, where He declares, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
- Meditating on Jesus' Words:
Jesus emphasizes the importance of His words remaining in His disciples. This suggests more than just a superficial acquaintance with His teachings; it implies a deep engagement and meditation on the truths of Scripture. As believers internalize and apply Jesus' words to their lives, they are transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:2) and equipped to pray according to God's will.
- The Promise of Prayer:
Jesus assures His disciples that if they abide in Him and His words abide in them, they have the assurance that their prayers will be answered. This is not a carte blanche invitation to ask for anything selfish or contrary to God's will, but rather an invitation to align their desires with God's purposes. As believers grow in their relationship with Jesus and become more attuned to His will, their prayers reflect His heart and are answered accordingly.
- Spiritual Fruitfulness:
The promise of answered prayer is intimately connected to the concept of spiritual fruitfulness. As believers abide in Jesus and His words abide in them, they bear fruit—manifestations of Christ's character and the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This fruit includes qualities such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). As believers grow in spiritual maturity and become more aligned with Jesus' purposes, their prayers reflect the desires of a heart transformed by His grace.
Reflection:
As we reflect on John 15:7, we are challenged to examine the depth of our relationship with Jesus and the extent to which His words inform our lives. Do we prioritize spending time in His presence and meditating on His teachings? Are our prayers characterized by a desire to align our will with His and see His kingdom purposes fulfilled? May we abide in Jesus and His words, experiencing the joy and fulfillment that come from a life surrendered to Him.
In conclusion, John 15:7 offers a powerful invitation to abide in Jesus and experience the transformative power of prayer and spiritual fruitfulness. May we heed Jesus' words, remaining in Him and allowing His truth to shape our lives and our prayers.