Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of John Chapter 15
Metaphysically Interpreting John 15:1-17
15:1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 15:2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit. 15:3Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you. 15:4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. 15:5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing. 15:6If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 15:7If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 15:8Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and so shall ye be my disciples. 15:9Even as the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you: abide ye in my love. 15:10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 15:11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
15:12This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you. 15:13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.15:14Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you. 15:15No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father, I have made known unto you. 15:16Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 15:17These things I command you, that ye may love one another.
November 4, 1917: John 15:1-12
What in consciousness does the "husbandman" and the "true vine" referred to in this lesson represent? The "husbandman" is the Father, the Christ Mind. The perfect expression of the ideas of the Christ Mind is the "true vine."
What in consciousness does the "branch" and "fruit" symbolize? The "branch" symbolizes the faculties of Mind, and 'the "fruit" the thought.
How is the consciousness cleansed? The Consciousness is cleansed through building in the substance of true words and eliminating false words.
What is meant by "abiding in the Word"? The "abiding in the Word" is a conscious centering of the Mind in the depths of one's being, thus keeping up connection with the Father within.
What is the natural effect of "abiding in the Word"? The natural effect of "abiding in the Word" is to liberate the forces of one's Being through which perfection is attained, and to cease from external efforts. "The Father abiding in me doeth his works."
What is meant by "keeping the commandments"? "Keeping the commandments" is commanding, controlling and directing every thought according to the harmonious law of love to one another.
What state of mind is necessary to assure receiving that which we ask? In order to receive that which we ask, the I Am must be centered in the Realm of Ideas (Divine Mind) within, in faith and understanding.
Sunday, February 1, 1925: John 15:1-11
In today's lesson, what is Jesus illustrating in his parable of the vine and the branches? Jesus uses the vine and the branches to illustrate the relation that the spiritual man bears to God and to man's own faculties.
What is represented by: "I am the true vine"? The true vine is man's spiritual identity, called in the Bible the Messiah, or the Christ.
What is represented by: "my Father is the husbandman"? The Father represents the universal creative mind, God.
What are the branches that are fruitful or otherwise? The branches are the faculties, which are implanted in man as seed ideas.
How does man, in spiritual realization, cleanse his faculties? Man, in spiritual realization, cleanses his faculties by denying any error that may appear in them. "Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you."
What is the meaning of: "Abide in me, and I in vou. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me"? In order to bring forth fruit in his faculties man must so identify himself with God that God's presence becomes an abiding inspiration; then these divine faculties bring forth the divine purpose.
How does man open his I AM consciousness in the Christ? Man makes contact with his superconsciousness in Christ by constantly realizing that his inspiration comes from God and that apart from the ideal man, the Christ, he can do nothing.
If man does not make contact with the Christ Mind and constantly receive new life and new inspiration from it, what is the result? "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."
What is the meaning of verse 7: "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever ye will, and it shall be done unto you"? When we center our attention upon the omnipresent Christ and affirm our unity with it, ideas, which are the words of God, flow into our minds, and by affirming them to be our very own we receive whatever we ask for.
How do we glorify God by bearing much fruit as the disciples of Christ? We glorify and radiantly express infinite Mind by manifesting its attributes in perfect love, life, substance, intelligence, power. "Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
What is the great consummation of Jesus' sermon on the vine and the branches? Love is the greatest thing in the world; so Jesus concludes his discourse with:
15:9Even as the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you: abide ye in my love.
When we realize that God is love and that by abiding in that love we dissolve all opposing thoughts and conditions, we have unified with the force that smooths all obstructions and infolds us in abiding joy, happiness, and universal prosperity.
October 7, 1934: John 15:1-16
Define in metaphysical terms the true vine, the husbandman, the branches, and the fruits. The husbandman or the Father is the Christ mind; Jesus, the individual identification of that mind, is the true vine; the faculties of mind are the branches and the thought is the fruit.
What does the term "abiding in Christ" mean? Persevering or continuing to think constructive thoughts in harmony with Principle is to abide in Christ.
Can one faculty be overdeveloped at the expense of the rest? Yes, one-sided development of this kind may take place, as when the acquisitive faculty is allowed to dominate the life. Faith, love, judgment, and all the other faculties then remain undeveloped.
Is it possible to realize one's deepest desire? By simply expressing the desire one may realize its fulfillment, provided the thought or "word" of Truth has first become an abiding fact in the mind.
Is the spiritual nature of man being evolved in this material age? Materialism is increasing in some respects; nevertheless man is without doubt becoming more and more wide awake to spiritual influences.
What has love to do with spiritual evolution? Love dissolves all negative, reactionary tendencies, and makes progress possible for us. Love also brings joy in its wake, and sets the mind and heart free to see and appreciate the good.
Point out a sure road to happiness. One may always be happy if one will abide in the Christ mind, and give as litte weight as possible to the desires of the personal self.
Why is the individual expression of the Christ mind important? Each individual who catches a vision of the Christ mind and expresses it in his life, becomes an example for the people to follow. Society at large requires Christlike leaders to help it bring the kingdom of heaven into expression in the earth.
Is it easy to express love in all one's relations? Not before the purpose of the heart is centered in the Christ mind is this possible, but as we learn to command, control, and direct our new thoughts in harmony with the law of love, it becomes easy and natural to express to express love habitually.
What does it mean to us to know the Truth? Knowing the Truth means coming into an understanding of life that satisfies both mind and heart. True understanding also brings freedom from the claims of personality or bondage to the lower self.
December 18, 1938: John 15:12-14
For whose benefit is impersonal love recommended? Primarily for the benefit of the one who is undertaking to live the Christ life. Loving one's enemies may benefit them, but without fail it benefits the one who loves.
How does it benefit him? He becomes a son of the Father in reality instead of in an ideal or potential sense. He learns also to control his judgment and to act impartially.
Does it do a person any good to love those who love him? Yes, to express love is always beneficial but he who loves only those who love him puts forth no special effort to live the Christ life. To make real progress one must go beyond the natural law and master the impartiality principle.
How is perfection enjoined on the Christ follower? Perfection is to be realized in self-controlled conduct. The student learns by actual living.
What is the supreme test of love? He who is willing to lay down his life for another proves beyond doubt that he can express the Christ love.
December 11, 1943: John 15:10-14
What does "abiding" in the love of the Christ mean? It means being so conscious of divine love that we become of a loving disposition and express love naturally and consistently.
What best proves the wisdom of loving others? The fact that it brings joy to the one who loves. Perfect love means perfect or complete joy. "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full."
December 31, 1950: John 15:1-5
What do the vine and the branches represent, respectively, and by what are they supported? The vine represents the I AM or the Christ; the "branches" represent the different expressions of the Christ. Both are supported by the Father (Divine Mind).
How do we "abide" in the vine? By keeping our thought on the Christ and acting in conformity with our thoughts.
How does the Christ prune or "cleanse" - our expression of Him? By leading us to deny selfishness, superficial interests in materiality and pleasure seeking, and all that lacks solid foundation in universal Truth.
What is the effect of the touch of the Christ on those whose faith has grown weak? It awakens faith to renewed life and greater fruitfulness.
Transcribed by Mark on 11-29-2013
