What are results of union with Christ the Vine? Life to the soul from life of Christ. Fruit outward result of inward life. Answers to prayer. Christ and His people alike heard. Glory to God the Father.
II. Results of Union (9-16). Metaphor dropped. Christ urges disciples to continue in His love. Then they will have full joy; love to all arising from love to Him; friendship of Christ as evidenced by His death for them; knowledge because of revelation of Father. Permanence of results.
Lesson. Are we truly joined to Christ? What fruit is seen in our lives?
Joy through Faith.
Bunyan, in "The Pilgrim's Progress," pictures Christiana as saying to Mercy, "What was the matter that you did laugh in your sleep last night?" And Mercy said, "But are you sure I laughed?" When she told her dream, Christiana said, "Laugh, ay, well you might to see yourself so well." She laughed because she dreamed that she had been welcomed into glory. To faith this is no dream. Saved by grace, adopted by the Father, united to the Son, taught by the Spirit, we have joy in the soul now and a good hope of glory hereafter.
May 14th.—Christ Betrayed and Arrested.
To read—St. John xviii. 1-14. Golden Text—Is. liii. 3.
Christ's hour now come—has finished teachings—must go forth to die. Path of sorrow to be trod—He does not shrink.
I. Christ Betrayed (1-11). The place. The garden or olive orchard of Gethsemane. Note that Christ went forth of His own will, knowing all before Him. Also He went not for concealment, but for prayer.
The band. Judas, His disciple, their leader. A band of Roman soldiers to prevent a tumult, and officers of the Temple police supplied by chief priests. Also chief priests and elders, and a mixed rabble (St. Luke xxii. 52). All had common hatred of Jesus of Nazareth.