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18 February 2008
Word on the Web
John 15 v 1-4
"I am the true vine; my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that does not produce fruit. And he trims and cleans every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit. You are already clean because of the words I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in me.
One of the things I like about Jesus is the way he uses everyday objects or incidences to teach his followers. In this passage he uses a vine, which would have been very familiar to his listeners for two reasons: firstly there would have been a lot of vines around, and secondly (and more importantly) the vine was an Old Testament image for the people of Israel - God's chosen people. This image would have been familiar to his followers. Jesus describes himself as the "true" vine (unlike the disobedient Israelites) on whom God's purposes are resting. This is an uncomfortable passage because whether Jesus' followers ("branches") are producing fruit or not, there's cutting involved - either pruning or removing. Pruning fruitful branches is a vital part of nurturing the vine: it focuses the energy within the vine to producing good-quality fruit, rather than other fruitless growth. Removing dead branches has a similar effect.
Jesus' followers are challenged to remain in Jesus, to stay close to him and follow his commands. Those of us who call ourselves Christians, also need to stay close to Jesus, otherwise we can't be fruitful for him - we need his help to live his way and be a witness to others. And we have a wonderful promise: that Jesus will remain with us - always.
Jesus, thank you for your love for us, and your promise to stay with us, whatever we're facing. Help us to stay close to you, through prayer, reading the Bible, and meeting with other Christians. Amen.
Written by Debbie Orriss
Word on the Web
John 15 v 1-4
"I am the true vine; my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that does not produce fruit. And he trims and cleans every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit. You are already clean because of the words I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in me.
One of the things I like about Jesus is the way he uses everyday objects or incidences to teach his followers. In this passage he uses a vine, which would have been very familiar to his listeners for two reasons: firstly there would have been a lot of vines around, and secondly (and more importantly) the vine was an Old Testament image for the people of Israel - God's chosen people. This image would have been familiar to his followers. Jesus describes himself as the "true" vine (unlike the disobedient Israelites) on whom God's purposes are resting. This is an uncomfortable passage because whether Jesus' followers ("branches") are producing fruit or not, there's cutting involved - either pruning or removing. Pruning fruitful branches is a vital part of nurturing the vine: it focuses the energy within the vine to producing good-quality fruit, rather than other fruitless growth. Removing dead branches has a similar effect.
Jesus' followers are challenged to remain in Jesus, to stay close to him and follow his commands. Those of us who call ourselves Christians, also need to stay close to Jesus, otherwise we can't be fruitful for him - we need his help to live his way and be a witness to others. And we have a wonderful promise: that Jesus will remain with us - always.
Jesus, thank you for your love for us, and your promise to stay with us, whatever we're facing. Help us to stay close to you, through prayer, reading the Bible, and meeting with other Christians. Amen.
Written by Debbie Orriss
