Daily Devotion, January 24, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read John 15:1-9.

In another of Jesus’ “I Am” sayings in this Gospel, Jesus uses the image of a vine to describe himself (and thereby to describe God). Not only does he describe himself in this passage, but he also describes his followers: “I am the vine; you are the branches.” However, there is a condition to being a branch related to this vine. It has to stay connected. It is so tempting and so easy to get disconnected. We want to follow our own will, the ways of this world. We decide to fight the enemy with the ways of the enemy. And when we do that, we stop producing the fruit of the kingdom of God. Peace and hope and kindness are no longer our focus. We stop drawing other people to the way of Jesus Christ, but instead join them in going the way of the world.

How do we stay connected? How do we remain in this vine who is Jesus? He tells us in verse 9: “remain in my love.” In the following verse, he further explains: “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love…” And what were his commands? A couple of chapters earlier, in this same setting, he gave a very specific one to his disciples: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Elsewhere, he taught us to love God, to “love your neighbor as yourself” and even to “love your enemies.” It is obvious that the primary nutrient running through this vine is love. That is what nourishes the branches. “Remain in my love.”

There are some really troublesome vines in this world. (Kudzu immediately comes to mind!) There are also some really destructive vines in the spiritual world. Be sure you are connected to the vine who is Jesus Christ. And be sure you remain there.

Personal Worship Option:

Offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the love that flows through Jesus Christ to you (which produces the fruits of the Spirit in you) and through you (which produces the fruit of other people coming to know Christ for themselves. Pray for perseverance to stay connected to this vine.