77: John 15

In the past two episodes, remind{h}ers 75 and 76, we talked about the importance of holding on to who you are in Christ. Another way of saying the same thing is that we talked about the importance of abiding in Christ, of staying connected to God so that we can more fully embrace, lean into, and become the people God is calling us to be: People who love and people who bear fruit that reflects the heart of Jesus.

In light of this, today, I would love to simply read a passage of scripture which talks about just that. If you are considering your core values and vital behaviors, and if you are building your own rule of life, I hope this passage will remind you of the “why” behind those practices. More than anything, though, I hope God meets you through the words of this text, and I hope this holy passage serves you well.

Without further ado, a reading from John 15:1-17.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes[a] to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed[b] by the word that I have spoken to you. 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. 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. 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. 7 If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become[c] my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants[d] any longer, because the servant[e] does not know what the master is doing, but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.