Staying Connected
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
John 15:1-8
15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower.
15:2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.
15:3 You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you.
15:4 Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.
15:5 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.
15:6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
15:8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
Notes:
- Planting season is upon us. Soon we will need to prune the plants as part of the nurturing process. We prune them for more fruitfulness.Today’s text explores the imagery of a vine and its branches to teach about our relationship to Jesus.
- Several characters here: God the gardener, Jesus the vine, and his followers, the branches. All are necessary for the production of fruit. While the nation of Israel throughout the Old Testament was referred to as the vine, Jesus identifies himself as the ‘true’ vine, as he always did exactly what God has commanded—not so with the people of God. Their unjust practices and unrighteousness are consistently criticized by the prophets.
- Jesus uses the vine imagery to reveal a community characterized by tight interrelationship. Consider how a vine grows: the vine and its branches are so intertwined it is hard to distinguish one from the rest as they grow out of the vine. What does this say about us and our Christian community? No one is an island, no one goes it alone. In addition, the success or fruitfulness of each branch depends on its relationship to the vine. Each branch has to stay connected.
- This description flies in the face of our culture that glorifies self-determination, pulling yourself up by the bootstraps, individuality and individualism, “if it’s going to be, it’s up to me” mentality. Yes, it is important to hold one’s self individually accountable to doing what you can do to have a fruitful and productive life—not leaning on or depending on others when you do have the capacity to do for yourself. But the concept being emphasized here is that as a community of faith- the body of Christ, we need to each remain rooted in Christ to be fruitful in acts of love. Not me, but we. As we stay connected to the vine, we remain connected to each other. We can do more together than we can apart.
- The community described here would be known for exhibiting loving teamwork as the work that Jesus began and continues through our hands, feet, and mouths. We are at our best when we work together.
- We are to “abide in Christ”—this could include not only through personal spiritual disciplines such as prayer and Bible study, but also through the disciplines that keep us connected to other people who will help us stay on the straight and narrow, through communal worship and gathering with other Christians who are part of the church- “the body of Christ. “
- How do we get connected: grafted/ cutting process for the vine—to make room for us and in us—cutting away arrogance, ego, self-righteousness, bad habits.
- How do we stay connected to the vine?
- Practicing spiritual disciplines: prayer, Bible reading, worship, talking with other believers, physical self-care, service, stewardship of resources/ giving/ generosity. Keep in touch with Jesus, constantly re-affirming his role as Lord of your life trying your best to do what he says to do.
- Humble yourself in the pruning process. Sometimes we will have to simply go through some things to get to better things. Pruning hurts; cutting way things that we are attached to. Is it worth it? Yes, “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)
- How will we know we are connected?
- We will see fruit—people coming to Jesus or deepening their walk with Jesus because of things we say or do.
- Answered prayer, joy and love (15: 7, 11,12) as well as Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5: 22-24 – love, joy, peace, patience (forbearance), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
- Who you are and what you are doing will bring glory to God as people think about why you are the way you are or why you do what you do.
- Good news about the interrelated of this ecosystem that includes the gardener, the vine, and the branches reminds me of Ecclesiastes 4:12 that speaks of a chord of three strands not being easily broken. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. This verse highlights the value of friends in our lives and staying connected to each other. We might also like it could also reflect Jesus’ emphasis on the importance of our staying connected to him, the true vine, because of his connection to God, the Father, the gardener. That’s truly a strand, that cannot be easily broken, so stay connected! Amen.