The Vine: July 29, 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.)
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 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. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
“I am the true vine...” is the seventh and last of the great “I am” declarations that Jesus used to reveal his divinity and help his disciples understand who he was. In the previous chapter, Jesus had just told disciples that he would soon suffer and die. In fact, Jesus ends John 14 with this telling comment, “Come, let us leave this place...” marking the beginning of his final journey to Jerusalem and the cross. On the way, Jesus would use the familiar imagery of the vine to tell the disciples the things he most wanted them to hear and remember.
As they walked along, Jesus and the disciples would have passed by vineyards that covered the countryside. They may have noticed the vine on the Roman coins of the day, or perhaps they would have seen the great golden vine engraved over the Temple porch. Jesus used this common image of the vine to explain how the Father is the gardener who nurtures, protects, and cultivates the vineyard, how Jesus is the life-giving vine, and how we, his children, are the branches made to bear fruit. Jesus would also describe how God prunes our lives to remove the things that hinder us from growing and bearing even more fruit.
Pruning can seem like a brutal process. Last winter I trimmed the huge crepe myrtle in my backyard because it was overgrown, full of dead branches, and had few blooms. I got carried away, and before I knew it, I had trimmed the tree almost to the ground. I thought I had killed it! But to my surprise, spring came back and my butchered tree surprisingly grew and blossomed more beautiful than ever! For my tree, and for my life, pruning not only removes the unnecessary, unproductive deadwood but also makes room for new life and growth. Oh, how we need this pruning in our overcrowded, overworked, and overburdened lives!
The Father prunes and Jesus the vine gives life. As the branches, all we are asked to do is to stay connected to the vine. Jesus did not ask us to try harder, be stronger, or do more. He just asked us to abide in him. In fact, in this one passage of scripture he uses the word “abide” eleven times to drive home this point. Our job is to remain, dwell, tarry in his presence. The fruit is God’s doing and flows from a life abiding in Christ.
The secret to a fruitful, joy-filled life is not striving but abiding. St. Benedict and other communities developed a Rule of Life or a set of practices to help Christians develop a posture of abiding more deeply with God. The Latin word for “rule” is “regula” or trellis. A Rule of Life was a way of life that provided the structure and support for Christian growth much like a trellis does for a growing vine. Today, Christian practices like prayer, solitude, silence, serving, Bible study, and fellowship are designed to help us abide. Like a trellis supporting a vine, these spiritual disciplines provide the support and structure for us to abide, grow, and flourish with the beautiful fruit of God’s Kingdom. In this incredible passage Jesus reminds us that abiding in him allows us to be disciples filled with true joy and love!
Questions for Reflection:
Why does Jesus use the imagery of the vine with the disciples? What did it mean for them? What does it mean to you?
Why do you think Jesus repeated “abide” eight times in this scripture? Why is it easier for so many of us to strive rather than abide?
What specific fruit results from abiding in Jesus?
What is one practice you could embrace over the next few months that would help you grow in your relationship to God and others?
Which areas of your life may God be pruning right now?
prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to live my life honoring You and glorifying Your name. Father, I know that I can only produce spiritual fruit that glorifies You, as I learn to depend fully on You. May I rest in Your love, abide in You, and allow You to live Your life through me, as I humbly submit to Your leading and guidance. In this way I will produce much fruit, to Your glory. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.
Peace,
Pat
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