The Vine: August 19, 2024
“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.)
“ For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!”
When someone says, "They had a change of heart," it refers to having a new perspective on an issue or way of life. Saul experienced a change of heart on the road to Damascus when he encountered Christ. He transformed from someone who breathed murderous threats against Christians to become one of the greatest builders of churches. This week, we find him kneeling in prison, writing a prayer to the church at Ephesus.
This prayer is unusual in many ways. Paul doesn't pray for anything about the circumstances of the people he's praying for. There's nothing wrong with praying about circumstances, but Paul teaches us there's something even bigger and more powerful. Most of us think if our circumstances changed, then we would change. But Paul knows circumstances don't define who we are. He prays that we'll be strengthened with power through the Spirit. The purpose of this prayer is that "Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.". The power Paul prays for is that the inner parts of us will become places where Christ can make his home. When Christ dwells in us it changes our hearts. It changes how we understand our relationship with Christ and how much he loves us.
Paul continues in prayer, asking the church to grasp Christ's love. I find that most Christians get this at some level. Little kids can sing, "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so." But there's a level at which we really don't get it because it is past our understanding. Throughout our lives, we have heard about God’s love for us. We try to obey God; we want to follow the rules and not disappoint him because we love him.
A 10-year-old boy was in the hospital and was quite sick. One day, he awoke to see his mother sitting beside his bed, quietly crying. Seeing his mother crying overwhelmed him, and he blurted out, "Wow, Mom, you really love me!" If you had asked him if he was loved by his parents the day before, he would have said yes. But at that moment, he grasped his mother's love for him. This is Paul's prayer for us: we will not just know about Christ's love but grasp it. He knows that when his church grasps “how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,” it will change their hearts. When this happens, it will change how they see themselves and the world around them.
PRAYER
Gracious and loving God,
The new school year brings about new opportunities to grow and learn. This year, may we grasp Christ's love for us. His love for us is not based on us being good "rule followers," but on his grace. It is a love that may not make sense or be within our understanding, but it is a love God wants to empower us to know. Help us know that Christ wants to dwell in our hearts so we may be rooted in his love.
Questions for Reflection:
What does Paul's prayer reveal about having a change of heart?
How does Paul’s prayer challenge the common misconception that obeying God's rules is the primary expression of love?
What obstacles or challenges might prevent people from fully grasping the depth of God's love?
How can the church today foster an environment where people can more deeply experience and understand God's love?
How can we apply Paul's prayer and understanding of God's love to our own lives and relationships?
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