Bible Note
Love One Another
Key Verse 17: These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
Introduction:
We studied today’s passage as the new year's keynote message. Our prayer topic is to bear much fruit, the fruit of love, by obeying Jesus’ command. Today’s passage is well-known, and it is profound. It shows a deep truth between Jesus and us. What is the purpose God’s call for us as Jesus’ disciples? Jesus said he chose us to bear fruit. He taught us how to bear fruit. May God reveal the deeper truth that we may bear much fruit through Jesus.
V1-3
“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.
Why do you think Jesus calls himself the ‘True’ vine? (1) What is our role in the relationship with Jesus and the Father? What do God and Jesus do to let us bear fruit? (2,3)
Q1 A. Why do you think Jesus calls himself the ‘True’ vine? (1)
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
Because Jesus can help his disciples to bear true fruit which can please God.
So Jesus was teaching today’s passage at the last supper with his disciples. In the previous chapter, chapter 14, Jesus talked about the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ disciples worried about Jesus’ departure. But Jesus told them that he will prepare the house for them. He will send another Helper. He will also come back to them not leaving them as orphans.
Jesus’ disciples worried about their life on earth after Jesus’ departure. How would Jesus take care of them while they were in the world? First Jesus gave them the security through the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus would have the same communication and the same dialogue with his disciples on earth.
The next question is: While they are here on earth, what would they do? Their hope is in heaven. But what is their job? Some Christians may think our Christian life on earth is not very important, and that entering the kingdom of God is all that matters. But Jesus cares about our life on earth. It is very important to him.
There is a very important work to do for his disciples on earth. That is to bear fruit. So Jesus said in v. 15 “I chose you so that you may bear fruit.” V. 8 says “8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” Through bearing fruit, we prove to be Jesus’ disciples in addition to glorify God.
Our job while we live on earth is important, and it is to bear fruit. That is why Jesus discussed this matter with his disciples; how they could bear fruit, and what kind of fruit they should bear.
What do verses 1-3 reveal based on the truth in v.1-3? The true vine, branches (Christians), and the Father have the same purpose.
There are some branches in Jesus that do not bear fruit. Judas Iscariot can be a case. He was called to be a disciple. Jesus said in John 13:10b “And you are clean, but not every one of you.” Jesus said it because of Judas. Judas did not repent and accept Jesus. Eventually, he was cut off.
The Israeli people belong to God. God said, “I made a great vineyard.” Some people’s relationship with Jesus is weak at first. But they take deeper root and become strong. Others have faith in Jesus first. But they love the world, and they lose their faith. “Abide” means “remain”. To remain is important.
“To remain,” or “abid,e” or “continually remain in Jesus” is the easiest way because you need to deny yourself just a little by little.
The point of verses 1-3 is this: God is very interested in bearing fruit. The Son and the Father really work hard. God is making every effort for us to bear fruit. When we think about God’s creation, all living beings or things such as trees, produce something. One’s neighbor has an orange tree, and it bears so many oranges. He wonders how one tree can bear so many oranges. The trees obey God. They followed the orders of their Creator God.
A vine tree needs a lot of work and care. An orange tree does not require as much care as vine, but it still bears so much fruit. Land produces so much because it obeys God. God created every living thing to be productive. All living beings bear so much fruit. Soil produces so much too.
We, Christians, need God’s help. Animals, plants do not have sin. They follow their nature. But humans rely on our own thoughts and ideas, and we may not produce much fruit. That is why God sent Jesus, the true vine.
Jesus is the true vine. Jesus is the only one who can help us bear the fruit God wants us to bear. The fruit that has true value. People produce some kind of fruit anyhow. Elon Musk produces. The fruit he produces may not be what God wants. If he produces fruit using his wealth and intelligence for God, he can produce fruit that God wants. But if he seeks money, he might not produce the fruit God wants.
Even disabled person can bear fruit that can please God. At the end of our lives, we all stand before Jesus. God will see what kind of fruit we bear. Elon Musk say “I did a lot”, But God may not be pleased. But even a poor man could bear fruit that pleases God.
Our effort should be abiding in Jesus. The importance thing about fruit bearing is Jesus. Jesus Christ is the point. What is the fruit God wants? It is the fruit that comes through Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the true vine because only through Jesus can we bear the fruit that God wants. Once we abide in Jesus Christ, our fruit will come naturally. It is important to abide in Jesus. Verse 8 says “8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” Through the fruit, God is glorified, and we will be proven to be Jesus’ disciples.
What kind of fruit does God want? What is the fruit people will see and say to us, “This is the disciple of Jesus”? Love one another. “God’s agape love” is possible only through Jesus.
Later, we will see that the ultimate fruit is the fruit of love by abiding in Jesus’ love. When we abide in Jesus, we will bear fruit of love, fruit of true righteousness, fruit of eternal life and etc. All these things will disappear in the end. But love will remain.
Someone thinks he has achieved great things. But if he does not bear fruit through Jesus, his great things will not be great before God’s eyes.
Q1 B. What is our role in the relationship with Jesus and the Father?
We are branches. As branches, we are the connection between Jesus (Vine) and the Father. (Vinedresser)
Q1 C. What do God and Jesus do to let us bear fruit? (2,3)
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.
God takes away every branch in Jesus that does not bear fruit. In this way, he makes sure unfruitful branches cannot waste nutrition.
He prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it may bear more fruit. He knows which branch bears fruit and which branches do not bear fruit. Pruning can be painful to branches. Pruning is cutting off branches that bear fruit. To bear more fruit can mean to be more like Jesus.
Jesus made his disciples clean through his words. The words of Jesus can cleanse us. There is something dirty that prevents us from bearing fruit. The word of Jesus can identify dirty things and show us. We can clean dirty things, and we can become clean and bear much fruit. “Clean” may refer to “repentance,” or “holy,” or “without sin”. They are made clean because of Jesus’ word. Now they can bear “holy” fruit.
Fruit comes from where it takes root. One young man says, “If I take root in money and pleasure, I don’t expect great things would happen to me. I need to take deep root in Jesus to bear good fruit.” If we are deeply rooted in Christ, naturally, we will produce good fruit. The more we take root in Jesus, the more we bear fruit.
V.4-6
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.
What does Jesus want us to do to bear fruit? (4,5) What will happen to those who do not abide in Jesus?(6) Why do you think it is to remember this truth?
Q2 A. What does Jesus want us to do to bear fruit? (4,5)
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.
Jesus wants us to abide in him. “To abide” means “to remain, dwell, or stay”. To remain in Jesus is the only way for any branch to bear fruit. It is because the nutrition to bear fruit comes through Jesus, the true vine. The branch’s main job is to abide in the vine. Then Jesus, the vine, will bear fruit through the branches. Jesus’ disciples can bear fruit only by abiding in Jesus. They do not bear fruit. Jesus bears fruit through them. All they need to do is to abide in Jesus.
“Abiding in Jesus” is the key. Once one abides in Jesus fruit is guaranteed. It is great news. You don’t need to worry about the fruit. Trees do not worry about bearing fruit. They suck water and nutrition, and fruit comes out naturally.
In verses 4-8, we want to think about why it is so necessary to abide in Jesus. What kinds of fruit will we bear when we abide in Jesus?
V.44 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. If we see people, they do something and bear fruit.
But why did Jesus say “V.44 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.”? He emphasized the importance of abiding in him. Why? Doing something does not mean to bear fruit God wants.
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. Jesus emphasized that only those who abide in Jesus will bear much fruit. What does it mean “you can do nothing” when people do many things? It means they can do nothing before God’s eyes.
Q2 B. What will happen to those who do not abide in Jesus?(6)
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.
They will be thrown away and burned. It probably refers to God’s judgment. It is a cursed condition for a tree. A person can be compared to a tree. If a tree does not bear fruit, it is useless. So is a man useless before God who does not bear the fruit God wants. His life is cursed like a fig tree withered from the root.
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. Jesus gave a serious warning for those who do not bear fruit through abiding in him.
Q2 C. Why do you think it is (important) to remember this truth?
Because to abide in Jesus is the only way to bear fruit.
V7-8
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.
What does it mean practically to abide in Jesus?(7a) What privilege is given to those who remain in Jesus (7b)?
Q3 A. What does it mean practically to abide in Jesus?(7a)
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you. To abide in Jesus practically means to abide in Jesus’ words. Jesus used his words like himself. Jesus is the Word that became flesh.
Q3 B. What privilege is given to those who remain in Jesus (7b)?
“Ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Their prayer will be answered. The answer is guaranteed. They pray according to the words of Jesus.
“7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” The prayer will be answered, and it is almost guaranteed. Not all of our prayers are answered in our practical lives. But Jesus said, “7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Jesus guaranteed answering our prayers.
What happens when we bear fruit? (8) Why do you think it is important to think in this way when considering what it means to be a disciple of Jesus?
Q4 A. What happens when we bear fruit? (8)
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. We glorify God and prove to be Jesus’ disciples.
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
Jesus said Jn 14:13 the same thing. “13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. “
In nature, this is how trees bear fruit. An apple tree bears apples. The persimmon tree bears persimmons. According to the vine, we are attached; we bear fruit. If we are attached to Jesus, we bear fruit from Jesus. According to what one has in his mind, fruit comes out.
So if we are attached to Jesus, the fruit will show Jesus’ image. Jesus will appear through the fruit. If we abide in Jesus, our fruit will show who Jesus is. Whatever we have in our hearts, whatever is filed in our hearts, they will come out as our fruit through our actions and words.
“Abide in Jesus’ means to fill our hearts with Jesus. It means to fill our hearts with Jesus’ words, Jesus’ grace, Jesus’ salvation, and what Jesus did. In that way, we become one with Jesus. Then the fruit will be what Jesus gives us. It will show Jesus’ power, love, joy, and life. Everything that belongs to Jesus will come out. And then people will see Jesus in our fruit. In this way, we glorify God.
So abiding in Jesus means we need to fill our hearts with everything that belongs to Jesus. We can grow in Jesus’ image. Why did God answer our prayer? If we pray with the same heart of Jesus, our prayer and our hearts will be the same as that of Jesus’ heart and mind. Then, God will surely answer our prayers.
Jesus said, “Whoever abides in me and I in him”. In our daily life, if we abide in Jesus daily, then we can bear good fruit. One thing I learn from the trees. Trees never leave their ground. But they remain in the same spot and bear fruit until they die.
We become like little Jesus when we have Jesus’ heart, Jesus’ words, and do what Jesus wants. Then the fruit we bear will be beautiful. Paul said, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me”. (Gal 2:20) Enoch walked with God. So abiding in Jesus means to become one with Jesus, having the same heart, spirit, desires, and words.
Most of the time, our thoughts can be occupied with many other things other than Jesus. If we keep meditating on Jesus, his words, and what he did, we could grow in Jesus. When we think about Jesus more, we can be changed.
“Being one with Jesus” is “to abide in Jesus”. Later, we may say, “Wow, I act like Jesus.” Good things will come out from abiding in Jesus.
Jesus is saying. “I am the one who let you bear fruit.” If we try to bear fruit out of our own strength or something from us, we cannot bear fruit from Jesus. Branches cannot bear fruit. “Abiding in Jesus’ means “to let Jesus do it”, “Let the Holy Spirit do it.” Let the Holy Spirit and Jesus bear fruit in us.
Q4 B. Why do you think it is important to think in this way when considering what it means to be a disciple of Jesus?
To be a disciple of Jesus is not a vague concept. To prove oneself to be Jesus’ disciple comes through bearing fruit. Let the fruit speak out that we are his disciples.
V9-11
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.
How do we abide in Jesus' love? (10a) How was Jesus the example of this? (10b) What will we have to the full when we abide in Jesus’ love? (11)
Q5 A. How do we abide in Jesus' love? (10a)
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Jesus loves us so much. He loves us with the perfect love. It is the love his Father loves him. There is no other love greater than this love.
10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love. We abide in Jesus’ love by keeping Jesus’ commandments.
Jesus kept teaching us how we can practically abide in Jesus. We can abide in him by keeping his commandments.
“Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love.” Jesus loves us. How can we remain in the territory of his love? By keeping his commandments. Even if Jesus always loves us, if we walk out of the territory of his love, we are losing his love.
The prodigal son left his father’s love. He left the territory of his father’s love. This loving relationship is mutual. We show our love to God by obeying his commandments. This is how we can show our love for him.
Some people may say, “God loves me unconditionally.” It is true. But if we do not obey him, the relationship is broken. It is one-sided love. The love is not mutual. Not obeying Jesus’ commandments is like a betrayal. It is like a spouse breaks the trust with the other.
Q5 B. How was Jesus the example of this? (10b)
just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. Jesus has kept his Father’s commandments and abides in his love. Even Jesus kept his Father’s commandments and remained in his love.
Q5 C. What will we have to the full when we abide in Jesus’ love? (11)
11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. We will have our joy to the full when we abide in Jesus’ love. “Joy” is the fruit that comes from abiding in Jesus’ love. When we have a love relationship with God, complete joy is for us.
Jesus wants us to bear fruit not only to glorify God but also for our joy. People in the world achieve something. But their joy does not last long because their joy does not come from obeying the commandments of God.
V12-13
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
What is Jesus’ commandment? (12) What does it mean to love others as Jesus has loved us? (13)
Q6 A. What is Jesus’ commandment? (12)
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Out of many commandments, he is referring to one specific command. Love another.
Q6 B. What does it mean to love others as Jesus has loved us? (13)
13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. To love others as Jesus loves means to love others to the point of laying down one’s life.
Jesus is talking about his love. We cannot love even our family members with Jesus’ love. If we love others with the same love Jesus has for us, we can bear much fruit.
One person has a great character and personality. He has confidence in it. In UBF, he found that other people who had very bad character began to grow. They were changed dramatically. But he was not changed. Only after he recognized his good personality as nothing before God, he begin to grow. He began to grow when he began to learn Jesus’ love.
Another person began to give a good influence to others in her workplace. She offered herself as a servant of others. She waits for others to say something, and she carries out. Eventually, people like her. Just being ready to listen to others makes others happy.
V14-15
14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
How can we be Jesus’s friends? (14) What is the difference between a servant and a friend? (15) If we want to know all that the Father has made known to Jesus what should we do?
Q7 A. How can we be Jesus’s friends? (14)
14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. We can be Jesus’ friend when we do what he commands us. Obeying Jesus’ command does not make us his servants but his friends.
Friendship means a relationship between friends. To be a friend means that they know each other very well. Basically, Jesus was saying to his disciples, “You are my friends.” Jesus considered his disciples his friends. He wants his disciples to be his friends. He wants them to know his heart. This is amazing. God is holy God, the Creator God. But he wants us to be his friends. Really, he is ready to share the same heart and mind with his disciples. This is a great honor for us.
If we become God’s friend, it is a great honor. How can we become friends of Jesus? By obeying his commands, we can know God’s heart and we can know who God is. This is the way to know God.
We cannot become Jesus’ friends by building up a lot of head knowledge. But obeying his commands makes us his friends.
Q7 B. What is the difference between a servant and a friend? (15)
15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. A servant does not know what his master is doing. But a friend knows what his master is doing.
Jesus wants his disciples to be his friends. Jesus shared everything with his disciples so that they might know God’s heart and mind.
A servant’s mentality is just to do what his master wants without knowing the master’s mind. Jesus wants us to obey his command, knowing his intention, his heart, and his mind.
Q7 C. If we want to know all that the Father has made known to Jesus what should we do?
We should obey Jesus’ command. Then we will know all that the Father has made known to Jesus.
V16-17
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
What does it mean that Jesus chose us rather than we chose him and why did he choose us? (16) What happens when we bear fruit? Why did Jesus command these things, and what does it show about the kind of fruit He wants us to bear? (17)
Q8 A. What does it mean that Jesus chose us rather than we chose him and why did he choose us? (16)
“16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” Jesus decided to choose us, and the purpose is to go and bear fruit. The calling to bear fruit comes from Jesus.
“16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide”. The importance of remembering Jesus chose us is this: Jesus chose us reminds us of the purpose, the reason why he chose us. Jesus was saying, “I chose you to let you bear fruit”. “When I chose you, I had a clear intention.” When we choose Jesus, our intention is there. In the same way, Jesus chose us with a clear purpose and intention, that is, to bear fruit through him. We have to serve Jesus’ purpose.
Q8 B. What happens when we bear fruit?
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. The Father gives whatever we ask in Jesus’ name. “Give” means “Answer” their prayers.
“and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you”. Jesus was saying, “You bear fruit by abiding in me. And I let you bear fruit so that your prayer may be answered.”
Jesus wants his disciples to have a direct relationship with the Father. We really bear fruit, the fruit of love, and if we pray in love, God will answer our prayers, doing many great things.
To a man of prayer, George Müller, people ask, “Why is your prayer answered?” He said 5 things. One of them is the prayer in love. If we pray in Jesus’ love, God will answer.
Q8 C. Why did Jesus command these things, and what does it show about the kind of fruit He wants us to bear? (17)
17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another. Jesus commanded these things because he wanted his disciples to love one another. The fruit he wants us to bear is to love one another.
The ultimate fruit God wants us to bear is to love one another. Apostle Paul mentioned that if we love we fulfill all of God’s commands. If we know Jesus’ love and love one another, we can know Jesus.
In conclusion, God really wants us to bear fruit through Jesus, the fruit that lasts forever, bringing great joy for us. Abiding in Jesus all the time, always coming to Jesus and filling our hearts with Jesus’ heart, mind, and his words is the way for us to bear fruit.
LA UBF Bible Study Materials
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Copyright © 2025 LA UBF All rights reserved.