Life on the Vine
For Meditation
A beautiful thing about the teachings of Jesus is his use of vivid imagery in metaphors, similes and parables. "I am the Vine!" We are story-formed creatures and beauty affects our souls. We are also action-oriented creatures, longing for purposeful lives that contribute to something bigger than ourselves. "Bear fruit!" Jesus’ teachings meet us at the deepest places of our humanity including our desires to be known, to be safe, to belong, and to have purpose.
This week’s reading marks the start of a shift in Jesus’ final teaching to disciples before his death. It is a shift from comforting their troubled hearts with the promise of the Spirit to commissioning them for a life on mission. Jesus uses a beautifully organic image of a garden and a vine to shape their imaginations of an essential truth of the Christian life: “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” Abiding in the presence of Jesus transforms our hearts and produces the fruit of Christlikeness within us, thus glorifying the Father and fulfilling his mission on earth.
In preparation for worship, prayerfully read through this week’s text. Close your eyes, imagine yourself in a garden full of vines, greenery, fruit, and life. Meditate on the profound reality that Jesus promises to “remain in us.” Connect to Jesus the Vine and come with hearts prepared to respond in grateful worship.
John 15:1–8
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
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.