Jesus is so cool in the images he uses to communicate.
In the gospel passage a few weeks ago (John 15:1-8), Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches.”
Look at the picture above. It’s not a vine, but every little portion of that bush, every flower, receives its life from being connected to the source of its life.
So, too, with us. I have some readers who are not professed Christians. But if you think about it, the message is the same: If we stay connected to the Source of life, whatever that is for you, then our lives will flourish and bear fruit.
But some of us are like withered branches. We have cut ourselves off from the source of life and we do not bring fruitfulness into our lives.
Consider the fruitfulness of your relationships. Are the people in our lives growing because they know us and are in our lives? Or are they withering up?
Stay connected.
We want to be connected to the Internet, on Facebook and Twitter, Instagram and other social media.
What about your connection with God and his desire that the whole church, indeed the whole world be connected in love.
Jesus, you use simple images to help us understand
what life for us can be like when we stay connected to You.
Wonderful life-surging energy flows through You as the Vine.
Let that same life-surging energy which is Your Holy Spirit
surge through us as well
and renew the face of the earth!
To You be glory now and forever!
Jesus said to His disciples: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does He prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in Me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in Me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without Me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in Me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become My disciples.” (John 15:1-8)
Now, before you go, here’s an Easter hymn for your listening pleasure. Click here.
Father Bob's Reflections 