An Invitation to Communion
For Meditation
When a typical American thinks about the “good life,” they would probably include some vision of self-sufficiency and independence. After all, self-sovereignty is at the very root of the founding of our nation! But when it comes to God’s definition of the good life, a very different vision emerges.
In this famous analogy in John 15, Jesus uses the image of a vine and branch to describe how to live a good life. Jesus says things like, “Abide in me, live in me, apart from me you can do nothing.” He is inviting us not to live independently, but in a relationship of complete dependence. To abide in Christ isn’t an invitation to a cozy time by the fire, but a summons to stick with Jesus on the way, to remain in constant awareness of and in communion with Him wherever he leads, knowing He is with you.
Sometimes we talk about being a Christian as a mental agreement to certain ideas and doctrines. But Jesus describes the Christian life as one of communion, living in ongoing relationship and dependence with him, God the Father and God the Spirit. This “communion” is carried out through a life of awareness of God’s presence, attentiveness to his love, and communication with him hour by hour.
This week we’ll explore what communion with God is all about and look at practical ways we can nurture it. In preparation for worship, think of a time when you felt closest to God, and consider what was going on in your life that helped foster an awareness of God’s nearness.
John 15:5–8
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.