The Source of All Ministry
John 15:5b, “…apart from me you can do nothing.”
With these words, Jesus underscores the realty that He is the source of all ministry.
That we are called to bear fruit is explicit, verse 16, “You did not chose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.” Bearing fruit is another way of saying we are to do ministry - to bring glory to God by showing His work in us and to be of use to others.
The image is that of the vine and the branches. The branches are connected to the vine and get their life from the vine and are thus able to bear fruit. Jesus says that He is the vine. He calls His Father, the gardener, the one who trims and prunes the branches so that they will bear more and better fruit. The challenge is clear, verse 5, “The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit.”
Ministry means staying connected to Jesus. Other notes from the gospel of John indicate that that means staying immersed in the Bible—John 8:31, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples.” It means practicing grace and truth, “which came through Jesus Christ,” John 1:17. And it means depending on His work as a good shepherd, “the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep,” (John 12:11) and the one who gives the Holy Spirit—“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:38)
Ministry is God’s work, done by His servants, in His power, by His guidance, for His glory. Anytime Jesus is neglected, ministry suffers.
If there is one central focus of Jesus that must be central in our ministry it is His work on the cross. Just as he said that he lay down his life for the sheep, so Paul declared that the heart of ministry is cross. It is the wisdom and power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18ff). It is of “first importance” (1 Corinthians 15:3). And it is his “only boast” (Galatians 6:14).