13 December 2001 Editorial:
The Vine, pt. 2

Larry Kirkpatrick

"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me."

We continue this week our nutshell exploration of this passage in John 15:3-4. The first portion of today's section reads, "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." Jesus declares the disciples "already" clean. We know that the Word is the effective means of cleansing. But what of Jesus' statement that His disciples are already clean? Here it appears as if an instant declaration, but is such understanding it aright?

In Ephesians 5:26 the Scriptures say that Jesus loved the church and gave Himself for it, "that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word." Verse 27 adds that this goal is that the church would have no blemishes, but be holy. In Ephesians this process of cleansing occurs through the Word but within the relation of marriage. A marriage is a relationship between two persons that moves through time. It is not a moment but a lifetime of moments strung together into one long and complete whole.

The picture in Ephesians is corporate, and it is in John 15 as well. Jesus is addressing the group of His disciples. Two chapters back He had washed their feet and they had undergone a humbling, an inner cleansing. But that washing had been by Jesus' hands -- the hands of the Word. John 15:3 claims that Jesus' word had already cleansed His disciples. But what is here meant? If they have been perfected in a finalized way, then why Jesus' emphasis throughout the first half of this chapter on their persisting in abiding with Him?

Jesus said that He left His peace with His followers "not as the world giveth." His peace is not imaginary, but a changed experience through the indwelling Word of God. The world gives imaginary peace, fleeting, shallow, and insubstantial. God gives peace eternal, deep, and actual.

These disciples have faith, real and abiding. Just before stands the Cross, the crucifixion of the One in whom all their hopes reside. In the crucible of the events just before them Jesus wants them to be clear that they are advancing spiritually. They have walked with Him those three years. They have listened, they have grown. His Word, no, not fully understood, but much understood, is alive in them. It has been working on them all. Even Judas, who's loss is imminent, has been greatly impacted.

To His disciples He says, "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." He is not declaring their justification in a moment in time. When was it He spoke His word unto them? In the days and months of their discipleship. He says here, in effect, what He says in John 17:17, "Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth." As we ingest God's truth, it changes us. These disciples, not perfected, but much changed by their time with Jesus, have undergone a considerable process of cleansing. Their rough edges are well along in being worn off, and they constitute an increasingly useful group. In the moment when betrayal and the cross are coming on with all speed, Jesus reminds those who follow that their following has been fruitful.

He reminds those who follow that like a vine, no branch can on its own, separated from the central vine, successfully bear fruit. He declares the necessity of their connection to Him. How important that we never imagine that apart from Jesus we can bear fruit or do His will. How important that the people of God be so by a connection with Him beyond the superficial. We should connect still with the Vine, our Lord Jesus, and let His fruit bud forth to His glory through our lives.

Pastor Larry Kirkpatrick is an ordained minister of the gospel. Since 1994 he has served in the American Southwest as pastor to several churches. He received his BA in Religion from Southern Adventist University in 1994 and a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in 1999 with a specialization in Adventist Studies. While in Michigan he was employed by the General Conference at the White Estate Berrien Springs branch office. More important than his scholastic preparation has been his immersion in the biblical and Spirit of Prophecy materials. He is author of the 2003 book Real Grace for Real People. Presently he serves as Pastor of the Mentone Church of Seventh-day Adventists, located near Loma Linda, California. Larry is married to Pamela. The couple presently live in Highland, California along with their two children, Etienne and Melinda.