John 15:1-8 The Vine and the Branches
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Reflection
We live in a windy bit of the world. Leaves and branches are often blown off the trees. If they lie there for several days, the leaves on those fallen branches fade from green to brown. Separated from the tree, branches die.
Jesus uses the image of a vine and its branches to describe life in him. Jesus declares, “I am the true vine.” Like branches that depend on a tree or vine, we only have true life when we are connected to Jesus. Only when we are attached to him are we “tapped into” God. Jesus provides our sustenance for the daily challenges of living.
But being connected to Jesus is not merely an end in itself. Branches produce leaves and fruit. Only by remaining connected to him, as a branch is connected to a tree or vine, can we bear the fruit of Christlike living. By the power of God’s Spirit in us, we can bear the spiritual fruit of “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). When we are connected to the true vine, to Jesus himself, we produce fruit, glorifying God and drawing others to his love and mercy.
Like a branch attached to the vine, are you connected to Jesus and bearing fruit?
Jesus, you are the true vine, and we are your branches. By your grace and through the Holy Spirit, keep us connected to you so that we produce fruit that glorifies your Father. Amen.
Come, let the branches draw succour from the true vine; let us worship God!
We create here a garden space, O Lord, for you, the vine, to nourish us. We, the branches, draw our strength from you, and grow in harmony, unity, and love. Amen.
We seek to live in you, Lord. Let your life flow through us! We seek to grow in you, Lord. Let your love flow through us! Amen.
As branches, Lord, we grow wild; we cut ourselves off from you. Ranging far from the nourishing vine, we become entangled in sin, and the vitality of goodness seeps from us. We bear no fruit. Cut off all that is barren in us, God, and let us be one with you. Amen.
A prayer of praise based on Psalm 22.25-31
Praise the Lord, bow down and worship the God who has done wonderful things.
All the ends of the earth shall remember, and the families of the nations bear witness that the earth is the Lord’s.
The poor will eat and be satisfied and generations yet unborn will praise his wonderful ways.
The Lord upholds us, he has listened to our cry and he has rescued us.
Bow down and worship the Lord our God.
Amen.
Thank you for fruitfulness, God, and thank you for pruning; for seasons of abundance when the fruits of our living bend the bough of life. And for times of cutting back, when all that is dry and dead must be rooted out for new life to flourish. We are your garden, God, we are your vineyard. Thank you for your loving tending. Amen.
Suggested Listening Be the centre of my life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5Zo548rT8o Love divine, all loves excelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGGcqhKShQ8 You are the vine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=301PlhiRNx8
