Coptic Orthodox Answers

In name of Father and Son, the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen.

Welcome to Coptic Orthodox Answers Deep Dive. We're covering together the Gospel of John. We saw, in John 14, last time, the Last Supper, the mystical supper, and we saw the details of the Jewish traditions Christ went through in that Passover. As well, we saw how the disciples were sad, because Christ told them that He will leave them. So, He told them not to be sad. He was trying to comfort them by telling them that He will send them a comforter, the Holy Spirit that will be with them and will guide them and so on. And therefore, now, let us jump to chapter 15.

Verse 1:

'' 1 I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.'' (John 15:1)

So, the first thing we immediately see is that there's a difference in nature between the vine and the vinedresser, the vinedresser, here, representing the Father who is of a different nature than the Son, because the Son, here, is the vine itself, right? Obviously, the Father is a spiritual being. He is divine. The Son is both divine and human at the same time. He's 100% divine and 100% human. So, He was incarnate to save that humanity. So, He took on flesh, meaning He took on a body, soul and spirit to save us. So, the first thing that we see is that there's a difference between the Father and the Son, between the vinedresser and the vine itself. And again, this is for salvation.

'' 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away;...'' (John 15:2)

Obviously, the branches, here, are us. So, Christ is the vine; we are the branches. We are of the same nature as Him or He was incarnate to be the signature of us, as us, to be able to save us, right?, to recreate us, to heal us. So, we are those branches.

'' 2 Every branch in Me [united in Christ] that does not bear fruit He takes away [so, when we sin, we disconnect away from God, right?, again, simply speaking]; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that (...) may bear more fruit.'' (John 15:2)

So, that analogy is linked to Isaiah 5:2. Here, speaking about the Jewish people, the Israelite nation, Christ says or God says:

'' 2 He dug it up and cleared out its stones, and planted it with the choicest vine...'' (Isaiah 5:2)

So, God took this ground, cleared the stones, made everything ready, put the choicest vine, not a random one like any kind of low quality-type thing, no! He put the choicest vine. He chose the best vine.

'' 2 ...He built a tower in its midst [right? He brings protection. He brings His presence], and also made a winepress in it [He brings about joy to this vine, to this ground, to this land, to this nation, to this humanity, ultimately]; so He expected it to bring forth good grapes, but it brought forth wild grapes.'' (Isaiah 5:2)

So, unexpectedly, humanity did not produce the fruits we ought to produce. Of course, I say unexpectedly, here, based on Isaiah 5, but Christ already knew all of this stuff. He foreknew these things. He is above time, so, He understands. So, John 15 is linked to this.

So, Christ Himself is the vine and we are the branches, like I was saying earlier. So, when I do not produce fruits, when I do not serve, when I do not pray, when I do not have... or do good deeds, when I'm not virtuous, there's a problem there. That means that sin is disconnecting me from that God. So, this branch is cut out and removed, but those that bear fruit are pruned.

Why does Christ prune them? He chops away these little parts, these little sins, these little things that are unnecessary or keeping us away from Him. He cuts them off. He cleans us up. He brings us to Him. He bring us... He brings us more into His likeness, right?, for us to be able to produce even more fruit, right? So, He enhances that branch. So, that unity with God, who is the source of life, allows us to produce fruits and to be like Him. And God continually works with us to ensure that we are producing even more fruit for the glory of His name and for the salvation of His beloved ones.

Then Christ says:

'' 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.'' (John 15:3)

So, again, the same concept of pruning is here. Christ is telling the disciples: You are already clean. How are they clean? - Because of the word. What is the word that He has spoken? - Is His commandments. If we follow God's commandments, we remain united in Him and therefore, we are alive, because the branch is producing fruit, because it is linked to the vine. It's not cast away, right? So, following the commandments are something very... is something very important. That's what keeps us in Christ. Sin disconnects us away from Him.

So, verses 4 and 5 describe this idea. He says:

'' 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me [and truly, only in Christ real life is found].

5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing [without Him, we are simply dead].'' (John 15:4-5)

Verse 6:

'' 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch [so, if the person chooses not to abide in the source of life, he's cast out] and is withered [because without the proper nutrients, you die, right?, you're withered, and those people are gathered together]; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.'' (John 15:6)

They gather together... again, symbolically, this idea of negatively encouraging each other not to be with Christ, to step away from Him. And therefore, we gather together in places we should not be in. We gather together in an environment that is not suitable for Christ's presence, right? So, they are gathered, but they are thrown into the fire, here, symbolically, for hell. However:

'' 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.'' (John 15:7)

So, if you want to be My true daughter, My true son, and therefore, you want to abide in Me and My... therefore My words are abiding in you, right?, you follow my commandments, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you.

'' 8 By this My Father is glorified [So, His name is glorified], that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.'' (John 15:8)

And this is the sign of a real disciple, of a real minister, of a real servant for Christ, a real son and a real daughter, right? And this reminds us that God, sometimes, you know, we deal with Him as if He's like, again, forgive me for that same example, but as if He's Santa Claus, right? You know, we ask things and we hope to receive them, but Santa Claus is someone that is very far, you know. I don't know him. It's a very impersonal relationship. I'm crossing my fingers, hoping that I'm on the good list, not the bad one; therefore, I get the gift, but that's so not the idea with Christ.

He says: If you abide in Me, if we have a true relationship, if we are one, if you partake of the Eucharist, if all of these things, right?, and My words abide in you, you follow My commandments, whatever you desire, it shall be done for you, right? And this is the whole idea, again, of us, you know, incrementally working towards being more and more like Him to walk on the path of sainthood.

Verse 9:

'' 9 As the Father loved Me, I also have 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 remain in you, and that your joy may be full.'' (John 15:9-11)

So, what we see here is that all the commandments are under the umbrella of love. That's the purpose: love, right? And Christ, the God-man, right?, God who became man, kept these commandments and therefore, He abides in God's love, in the Father's love, although in His divinity, He always abides in the Father's love, right? But here, His humanity also abides in His Father's love based on the fact that, as a human being, He was keeping the commandments. And therefore, He sets this trajectory for us and He tells me and you: Do the same, follow in My footsteps. And if you do so, then you also will abide in the Father's love. And when you do this, My joy will remain with you and your joy will be full. And this is true life, right?, when we abide in God's commandments and our joy is full.

Verse 12:

'' 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.'' (John 15:12)

So, this is a new commandment. So, we always were meant to love one another, but now, we love one another as Christ loved us, which is very, very difficult to do, right? But that is our objective and we fall short all the time. But that is our objective.

And then He says:

'' 13 Greater love [one of my favourite verses: greater love] has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.'' (John 15:13)

There's no greater love than when you die, you sacrifice yourself for the other, for your friend. for your spouse, for your neighbour, for your enemy. And we notice, here, that love, although it does include emotions, it goes beyond and it's much deeper than emotions. So, love, from a Christian perspective, it is sacrifice towards the other and therefore, the epitome of love was Christ's love for us on the cross.

And He dies for us, although we are completely unworthy and we still reject Him, yet... and He knew this. He foreknows all things, yet He chose to die for us still. Before the creation of Adam and Eve, Christ knew, and God, the Holy Trinity knew that humanity would fall, yet He chose to create, having in mind the plan of the cross already. This is the love that is beyond our understanding that God has for us. And therefore, He tells us: This is your objective. Have that same type of love.

Verse 14:

'' 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing [now God is sharing His plans with them]; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. (John 15:14-15)

And friends is only one characteristic, right? At some point, St. Mary with Christ's cousins, right? went to see Him and He was in the midst of many people, right? They were all sitting there, listening to Him, and then, they told Him: Your mother and your brothers, meaning your cousins, are calling you. So, He said: Those that do the will of God are my father, my brother, my mother, right? I'm paraphrasing.

So, we are meant to be God's family, sons, daughters, friends. What kind of love is this? It's almighty being the Creator of this entire universe that wants to have a relationship with me and you. It's incredible, right? And therefore, we ought to respond and to follow His commandments to be able to have that life and that joy.

Because, again, going back to Adam... Adam, when he ate from the tree, he lived his death, meaning he continually... he continued to physically live his spiritual death. So, he did not live life as it is meant to be lived. His joy was not full. Was quite the opposite. There was emptiness, purposelessness, anxiety, confusion, anger, impatience, right? But God says: I want to give you real life. Follow my commandments. Try it. You'll see.

Often, the best way to understand the depth and the beauty of Christianity is to take it so seriously, let's say for a month or two. Take that as a practice for this month or two, right? Do everything you gotta do, in terms of your prayers, of your Bible reading, of going to church, all of these things, follow the commandments, keep away from sin, and look within your soul what happens.

If you haven't been to confession in a while, go. Obviously, partake of the Eucharist. Seek these things and you will notice an internal conversion that is beyond your understanding and, and that will shape you, because you've tasted the kingdom of God within you and you will continually want to walk on that path. But try it. There's an effort that I have to do, that you have to do, right?

Again, God says to us: Deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow Me. There is a denial that needs to happen, right? Yes, the gate is narrow. Yes, the way is difficult. But I'm there. At the end, My yoke is light and it's sweet. God is there. He's real and He wants us to enjoy that fullness of life in Him.

Verse 16:

'' 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit,... (John 15:16)

Christ, here, is encouraging them. From an Israelite perspective, the disciple would choose the rabbi, but here, it's quite the oppos... The rabbi, here, the Messiah Himself, Christ, chose them. So, he's encouraged them. He's telling them, in other words: I know what I'm telling you seems heavy, but I chose you. I know you. You're capable. Now go and bear fruit!

'' 16 ...and that your fruit should remain,...'' (John 15:16)

So, not every type of ministry would remain. Not every type of ministry is useful, right? But, but do what counts. May your fruit remain. And obvious, the fruit remains when we depend on God, when we work with God; not on our own with our own power, our own muscle.

'' 16 ...that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.'' (John 15:16-17)

It's a commandment. I command you: love one another. There's no other choice. The Trinity, the three persons of the Trinity are one. They're one God that share the same divine essence and between them, there's ultimate love, unconditional love. They are the source of humility and therefore, we ought to mirror them. I command you, that you love one another. There's no other choice in Christianity, other than to love the other.

Verse 18:

'' 18 If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.'' (John 15:18)

That's the one thing we can be guaranteed of, as Christians, that the world will hate us. Not that we want them to hate us and we don't hate anybody, but that's automatically what happens.

'' 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own...'' (John 15:19)

And what does that mean in terms of my own stance in life, what I believe in? If I believe and I agree with what the world says all the time, if I want to fit in in the world all the time, if I shape myself based on the laws of the world, what does that say of me? What's my position? Is that how it ought to be? Of course, something is wrong.

'' 19 ...Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world [So, He chose you to live in the world, but your heart is not in the world. You're different. You're the light of the world.], therefore the world hates you [you're not like them].'' (John 15:19)

And St. Anthony says, you know, that a time will come that people say... will say that Christians are mad, because they're not like them, because we do not participate in the same activities as them, right?

'' 20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you... (John 15:20)

And truly, in the end times, what we see in the prophetical Scripture is that there will be persecution of Christians. Today, in the West, we don't perceive this and we live very peaceably, but the reality is that it's only a matter of time. And it's gonna be on a world scale, right?, not only someone that is local.

'' 20 ...If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.'' (John 15:20-21)

Verse 22:

'' 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, 'They hated Me without a cause.' 26 But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father [talking about the Holy Spirit, obviously], He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.'' (John 15:22-27)

Here, I think it's very straightforward. The only part I will discuss fairly quickly is verse 26 when He says: But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father... So, the Orthodox Church believes that within the Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Father Himself is the cause. He's the first cause. Therefore, He is the source.

So, the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father only, because He is the source, right?, like the Son is begotten from the Father; He's also the source of the Son. But the Son, He sends the Spirit. So, He says, again: But when the Helper comes, in verse 26, whom I shall send to you from the Father... So, the Son sends the Spirit from the Father, but the Holy Spirit proceeds Himself from the Father and that is what we say in our Creed since the 4 th century and even earlier than this.

Remember: Know your faith, live your faith, and teach your faith. And glory be to God forever and ever. Amen.

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Remember: Know your faith, live your faith, and teach your faith.