KNOWING GOD – THE GOD OF LOVE
[With Reference to the Events Concerning Jesus’ “Passion,” note how Jesus’ love is amazingly displayed throughout and therefore ‘stand in awe of God, the Most High.’]
Lesson Sixteen
Departure from the Coenaculum and Journey to Gethsemane
DEPARTURE FROM THE COENACULUM: Matthew 26:30 – When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
When they had sung a hymn – The hymn is believed to be Psalms 115-118. Psalms 113-118, called Hallel Psalms, were sung, by families, on the night of the Passover: 113 and 114 at the beginning of the meal and 115-118 at the end.
Application: Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
They went out to the Mount of Olives – Note:
John’s account: John 14:31 – but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. “Come now; let us leave.
Luke’s account: Luke 22:39 – Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.
JOURNEY TO GETHSEMANE [Approximately one mile, uphill]:
Jesus’ Discourse & High Priestly Prayer – (John 15 – 17)
(a) Jesus Is The Vine—Followers Are Branches – John 15:1-11:
V.1– “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
I am = I and I only AM.
I am the true vine – Re “The True Vine” versus “The Vine,” note that Israel was called a “vine,” as indicated by the following passages.
Psalm 80:8-11, 16 – 8You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. 9You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. 10The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches. 11It sent out its boughs to the Sea, its shoots as far as the River.
16Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire; at your rebuke your people perish.
[Contrast “The True Vine:” Philippians 2:9-11 – 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.]
Isaiah 5:1-2, 7 – I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. 2He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit.
7The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden of his delight. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.
Jeremiah 2:21 – I had planted you like a choice vine of sound and reliable stock. How then did you turn against me into a corrupt, wild vine?
[Contrast “The True Vine:” Matthew 3:16-17 – 16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Matthew 17:5 – While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”]
Hosea 10:1-2 – Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself. As his fruit increased, he built more altars; as his land prospered, he adorned his sacred stones. 2Their heart is deceitful, and now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will demolish their altars and destroy their sacred stones.
[Contrast “The True Vine:” Acts 10:38 – how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.]
Nahum 2:2 – The LORD will restore the splendor of Jacob like the splendor of Israel, though destroyers have laid them waste and have ruined their vines.
(NLT) – Even though the destroyer has destroyed Judah, the LORD will restore its honor. Israel’s vine has been stripped of branches, but he will restore its splendor.
Application: Let us thank the GOD OF LOVE as He enables us to be faithful branches of the True Vine.