“[Jesus said], ‘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.’” (John 15:5, NRSVue)
John chapters 13-17, a discourse from the last night Jesus spent with his disciples before his arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection, hold profound significance. Despite already celebrating Easter, revisiting Jesus’ words from the Last Supper is a profoundly enriching experience. It’s a reminder that in Jesus’ resurrection, all his promises have been fulfilled. His words were not mere predictions but divine truths. We can trust him!
So, when Jesus says, “I am the vine,” we know there is truth in that statement. It is our responsibility to discover the fullness of his words and apply them to our lives. If Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, we must consider our relationship with him, focusing on ways to strengthen and deepen that relationship. Jesus highlighted the importance of this when he said,
“Those who abide in me and I in them bear much because apart from me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:5b, NRSVue)
This passage serves as a reminder of our interconnectedness with Jesus, who guides us and is also the source of our being. When we remain connected to Jesus, he empowers us to impact this world positively. However, the consequences of disconnecting from him are stark. Without him, we are not only incapable of doing anything of value, but we can also inadvertently harm others. Therefore, staying connected to Jesus is beneficial and essential for faithful living.
This week’s message will explore ways to foster our connection with Jesus and experience the joy of growing in faith and impact. I hope to see you on Sunday, and don’t forget to invite your friends!