The Vine: August 4, 2025
“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”
This is a weekly reflection on the previous week’s sermon text. Each week there will be a devotional related to the scripture for the week, along with questions for reflection/discussion, as well as prayer. Feel free to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week or utilize in small group settings (growth groups, Sunday school, etc.)
“Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men; so he divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two female servants. He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.
But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked.
Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant.”
Then the female servants and their children approached and bowed down. Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down.
Esau asked, “What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?”
“To find favor in your eyes, my lord,” he said.
But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.”
“No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.”
The Jacob and Esau narrative is a long, complicated story (read Genesis 27-32 for background). For our purposes here, it’s enough to know that Jacob stole Esau’s birthright and one can imagine how angry Esau might have been under the circumstances. The story is picked up here in chapter 33 with this being the first time Jacob and Esau met after the initial conflict. Jacob had been on the run with his family, servants, and belongings, fearful of Esau’s revenge.
In a surprising twist, Esau greets Jacob not with violence, but with an embrace. There they stood embracing one another and weeping. I can just imagine the reaction of all those looking on – complete and utter shock. But we should not be surprised, as true forgiveness has that effect on us. Jacob deserved the worst but instead was met with an embrace of love and forgiveness. One of the most moving lines in the story was when Jacob said to Esau, “To see your face is like seeing the face of God – since you have received me with such favor.”
What an amazing image! It begs the question, “When people see our faces/demeanor/spirit do they see a reflection of the face of God? Can the Holy Spirit live in and through us in such a way that others might know the grace and forgiveness of God?”
We give thanks to God for those people in our lives who have been “the face of God” for us.
Prayer:
“Gracious, forgiving God, we thank you that your love and mercy can live through us and our lives. Help us to be reflections of you today and to be able to receive and extend forgiveness. Amen.”
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION:
How would you have reacted if you were Esau?
What helped Esau forgive his brother Jacob? What has helped you forgive others in the past? What has helped you forgive yourself?
I like the phrase “forgiven forgivers”. It conveys the message that we all stand in need of God’s forgiveness, and one who has been forgiven should seek to pass it on. How is your forgiveness of others tied to your own recognition of how God has forgiven you?
Who do you need to forgive today?
PREVIOUS WEEKS
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