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DEVOTION
OPENING PRAYER
O God, whose nature invites us always to stay close to you, help us now to make your word our home, that we may be your true disciples. Through Jesus Christ, who is the word, the way, and the life. AMEN.
INTRODUCTION
For the next two weeks we will focus on the 15th chapter of John. The vineyard is a powerful and ancient image in the Old Testament scriptures. God established and tends the vineyard of Israel (Isaiah 5:1-7). This is not a new idea. What shocked Jesus’ first hearers was that he said that he, JESUS, was the “true vine” and that “my Father is the vinegrower.” Jesus is recasting the whole scheme of relationships between God and God’s people when he connects himself to the vine of God. Let’s read the text.
John 15:1-8 (NRSV)
Jesus the True Vine
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 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. 5 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. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
The key word to describe the connection that Jesus presents is the word “ABIDE”. That dead branches are cut off and productive branches are pruned is commonplace and well known to vinegrowers. But the assurance that the vinegrower knows which branches to cut off and that the vine will still prosper and produce is bound in the word ABIDE. The dictionary defines ABIDE as;
To ABIDE (used without object),
· to remain; continue; stay: Abide with me.
· to have one's abode; dwell; reside: to abide in a small Scottish village.
verb (used with object),
· to put up with; tolerate; stand: I can't abide dishonesty!
· to endure, sustain, or withstand without yielding or submitting: to abide a vigorous onslaught.
· to wait for; await: to abide the coming of the Lord.
ABIDE is a connective word as well as a word of strength and faith. It is not a word of ease or comfort or laziness. To ABIDE is to be active and engaged and to hold strong in the face of trials and difficulties. Jesus is telling his disciples to ABIDE in him as he ABIDES in them because he knows that being a disciple demands our intention, our effort, and our faith.
To ABIDE can be demonstrated in many ways. Lest it seem so difficult I found this quote from Mother Teresa to be helpful;
Some people came to Calcutta, and before leaving, they begged me: “Tell us something that will help us to live our lives better.” And I said: “Smile at each other; smile at your wife, smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at each other – it doesn’t matter who it is – and that will help you to grow up in greater love for each other.” And then one of them asked me: “Are you married?” and I said: “Yes, and I find it difficult sometimes to smile at Jesus.” And it is true, Jesus can be very demanding also, and it is at those times when he is so demanding that to give him a big smile is very beautiful.
From A Gift for God by Mother Teresa
Jesus has given us the means to ABIDE in him. We let his WORDS ABIDE in our life and then our life will ABIDE with him, and God will be glorified as we bear much fruit and become Jesus’ disciples. “7 If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become[c] my disciples.
CLOSING PRAYER
And now, my Lord, send me from this sacred place, still keeping me close to you. May the journey of this day bring me closer, ever closer to you. AMEN.
Blessings
Pastor Tom
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