Bsf John Lesson 15 Day 2

Hey there! Grab your coffee, or tea, whatever your jam is. We’re diving into BSF John, Lesson 15, Day 2. You know, that feeling when you’re just cruising through the week, then BAM! A Bible study day hits you, and you’re like, “Okay, world, let’s do this.” That’s kind of where I was.

So, what’s on the docket today? We’re still hanging out with Jesus, obviously. He’s kind of the main character here, wouldn't you say? And in John 15, we’re getting some seriously intense teaching. Like, the kind you write down and re-read a million times.

Yesterday, we talked a bit about the Vine and the Branches, right? The whole idea that Jesus is the vine, and we’re the branches. Pretty straightforward, but also, like, mind-blowing. If we’re not connected to Him, are we even… a branch? It’s a bit of a existential crisis in a Bible verse, if you ask me.

But today, oh boy, today it gets real. Jesus is laying down some serious stuff. He’s talking about abiding. Have you ever thought about what “abiding” actually means? It’s not just like, chilling on the couch and watching Netflix. Though, let’s be honest, that’s a pretty great way to abide sometimes, right?

No, Jesus is talking about something much deeper. He’s saying, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you…” That’s a big “if,” isn’t it? It’s not just a casual suggestion. It’s like, the foundation of everything.

And what happens if we do abide? Get this: “ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Whoa. Hold the phone. Anything? Seriously, Jesus? Are we talking about asking for world peace? Or a new pair of shoes? Or, you know, that extra slice of cake we’ve been eyeing?

Okay, okay, before we all start drafting our massive wish lists to God, let’s pump the brakes a little. We’ve gotta remember the context. Jesus isn’t handing out blank checks. This isn’t some genie in a bottle situation.

The key is in that first part: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you.” It’s a conditional promise. Our desires need to be aligned with His. When we’re truly connected to Him, when His Word is shaping our thoughts and our hearts, then what we wish for will naturally start to reflect what He wants. Isn’t that wild?

Think about it like this: if you have a favorite artist, and you know their style inside and out, you might start to doodle things that look like their work without even trying. You’re so immersed in their art, it’s almost like it’s coming through you. Jesus is saying something similar. When we’re immersed in Him, our desires will start to mirror His.

And that’s when the asking becomes powerful. It’s not us trying to manipulate God into giving us what we want. It’s us praying according to His will, because we’re so close to Him that we know His will. Pretty cool, huh?

Then Jesus moves on. He’s like, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.” Fruit bearing. Another one of those spiritual buzzwords we hear a lot. What does it actually look like in real life?

It’s not just about performing good deeds, although those are definitely part of it. It’s about the evidence of our connection to Jesus. It’s about living a life that points back to Him. It’s about reflecting His character, His love, His truth.

Think about a fruit tree. A healthy tree produces fruit, right? It’s not trying to produce fruit in a strained way. It’s just what happens naturally when it’s healthy and has good soil and sunlight. And the fruit is a sign that the tree is healthy and doing what it’s supposed to do.

So, when we’re bearing fruit, we’re showing the world, and more importantly, we’re showing God, that we are truly His disciples. We’re living out the life He’s called us to live. It’s like a living advertisement for Jesus. And who wouldn’t want to be a good advertisement for the best Person ever?

Jesus then talks about love. Oh, love. It’s the theme that runs through all of this, isn’t it? He says, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” Talk about a love that’s off the charts! And then, “Abide in my love.”

It’s like he’s saying, “Just like the Father’s love for me is this huge, constant, unwavering thing, my love for you is the same.” And then he challenges us: “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love.”

Keeping His commandments. This is where it can feel a little… tough. Sometimes we think of commandments as a list of rules to follow. And yeah, they are rules. But they’re also like guidelines for living a life that’s full of His love. They’re designed to keep us in the sweet spot of His favor and His presence.

It’s like following the instructions for building a really awesome Lego set. If you just wing it, you’re probably gonna end up with a lopsided mess. But if you follow the steps, you get the intended result – something amazing! Jesus’ commandments are those instructions for experiencing His love to the fullest.

And then comes the big one, the commandment that sums it all up: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” Love. Again. It’s like the recurring chorus in the song of our faith.

Loving each other. This is the practical outflow of abiding in Christ and abiding in His love. If we are truly filled with His love, it’s going to spill out onto other people. It’s not going to be some sort of internal, exclusive club.

Jesus is saying, “You want to show the world you’re mine? Then love each other.” It’s the ultimate identifier. Not our theological debates, not our church attendance records, but our love for fellow believers. That’s what’s going to turn heads.

He goes on to say, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” This is the ultimate example, isn’t it? Jesus laying down His life for us. And he’s calling us to a similar kind of sacrificial love for each other.

Now, before we all start planning our martyrdoms, let’s keep it in perspective. For most of us, “laying down our lives” looks more like putting someone else’s needs before our own. It looks like serving, forgiving, being patient, and showing up when it’s inconvenient. It’s the small, everyday sacrifices that really add up.

It’s that willingness to be inconvenienced for a friend. It’s offering your last cookie. It’s listening to someone vent for an hour when you’ve had a long day. These are the real-life expressions of Jesus’ love.

Jesus also talks about being hated. Yeah, you heard me. Hated. He says, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” Ouch. This can be a tough pill to swallow, right? We all want to be liked.

But Jesus is being super honest here. He’s preparing his disciples for the reality of following him. The world, which often operates on different principles – greed, selfishness, pride – is not going to always embrace the values of God’s kingdom. And when we start living by those kingdom values, we’re going to stand out. And sometimes, standing out means being disliked.

It’s like wearing a neon pink shirt to a funeral. You’re going to get noticed. And not always in a good way. Following Jesus means we might not always fit in with the world’s agenda. And that’s okay.

He reassures them, though: “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” It’s a reminder that our true citizenship is in heaven. We’re not meant to be perfectly conformed to this world.

And then, to buffer the blow of being hated, he brings up the Holy Spirit. “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”

The Holy Spirit. Our constant companion. Our comforter. Our guide. Jesus is saying, “Hey, it’s gonna get tough, but you’re not alone.” The Spirit is going to be our advocate, our counselor, helping us navigate all of this. He’s the one who testifies about Jesus. He’s the one who empowers us to live out this radical love.

He will also help us remember what Jesus has taught. So, when we’re feeling confused or discouraged, the Spirit can bring to mind these very words, these promises, these commands. It’s like having a personal spiritual assistant. How cool is that?

So, Day 2 of Lesson 15. It’s a packed one, isn’t it? We’ve got abiding, asking, bearing fruit, loving, and even a little bit about being hated. But at the heart of it all is Jesus. His love. His Word. His presence.

It’s a call to a deeper connection, a more intentional life. It’s about letting Jesus shape us, mold us, and empower us to live lives that glorify God and love others well.

It’s easy to skim over these verses and think, “Yep, got it.” But when you really sit with them, when you let them sink in, they have the power to totally transform how you live.

So, as you continue through BSF John, remember this: you are loved. You are chosen. And you have the power of the Holy Spirit within you to abide, to love, and to bear fruit. Pretty amazing, right? Now, go forth and be awesome for Jesus! And maybe grab that second cup of coffee. You’ve earned it.