The Vine: Dec. 9, 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.)
“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler[a] of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
During the season of Advent, we encounter John the Baptist on two straight Sundays. John was called to “prepare the way” for the coming Messiah. In this week’s reading we learn that John went out into the region around the Jordan River – the wilderness. He gathered large crowds of people proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (more on that next week). In our text this week Luke references a passage from Isaiah that highlights John’s purpose:
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
The passage from Isaiah provides images of valleys that will be filled, mountains that will be made low, the crooked being made straight, and rough ways becoming smooth. In other words, what we anticipate and what might happen are often two different things. Valleys are not full. Mountains are not low. Crooked is not straight. Rough is not smooth. But with God all things are possible. One of my favorite quotes is, “The worst things are never the last things.” In other words, God has the final say in this world and the next, and when situations seem hopeless that is when God is at God’s best.
Our Advent sermon series is entitled “Unexpected Gifts”. We are highlighting various things that might not appear as gifts, but on further reflection might be gifts after all. Change can be a gift. Uncertainty can be a gift. Confession can be a gift. Accountability can be a gift. The unexpected can be a gift. It’s difficult to expect with certainty what will happen each day, but one thing we can count on is that God’s grace will be present with us no matter the circumstance.
I like what Brennan Manning wrote regarding Christmas:
“Christmas is the promise that the God who came to history and comes daily in mystery will one day come in glory. God is saying in Jesus that in the end everything will be all right. Nothing can harm you permanently, no suffering is irrevocable, no loss is lasting, no defeat is more than transitory, no disappointment is conclusive. Jesus did not deny the reality of suffering, discouragement, disappointment, frustration, and death; he simply stated that the Kingdom of God would conquer all of these horrors, that the Father’s love is so prodigal that no evil could possibly resist it.”
PRAYER
Gracious God, we give you thanks today for the unexpected in our lives. We thank you for the obvious gifts and blessings, and even for that which might be a challenge, for we know that you are present even in difficulties. In this advent season we pray we will be open to receive all that you have for us in a spirit of gratitude. Amen.
Questions for Reflection:
When it comes to expectations, what drives your expectations? About work? Family? Friendships? Faith? Have you ever had unrealistic expectations?
What surprises you most about how God came to us in Jesus Christ?
How have you experienced the presence of God in unmet expectations and disappointment?
Read Romans 8:31-39 – How does this passage give you hope in difficult times?
PREVIOUS WEEKS
To view all previous devotions go to https://fumc-rr.org/the-vine