Word to the Wise
Wednesday, May 17, 2017 - 5th Week of Easter - Wed
[Acts 15:1-6 and John 15:1-8]"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. [John]
The parables that we associate with Jesus' teaching in the other gospels are not to be found in the Gospel According to John. Yes, there are the images of the Good Shepherd and the flock (ch. 10), the grain of wheat falling into the ground (ch. 12) and today, the Vine and Branches - but that's really it. So, when something like this occurs in this gospel, we take notice. Two characteristics that I have called attention to in the past are in today's passage: "I AM" statement and the use of the word, "remain" (in Greek menein).
The personal relationship in faith with Jesus is beautifully illustrated in the Vine/Branches image. We know that one way to kill an entire vine is to cut it at the base. Those who grow wine grapes also know the importance of proper pruning in order to provide for the healthy crop. (Wine grapes are a big crop out here in West Texas.) The word, "remain," speaks to a consistent relationship of "presence" to one another. The disciples at the Last Supper and all of us today are called to that relationship. The line, "without me you can do nothing," puts it as bluntly as possible. The last words of the passage today put it in a different but more apostolic way, "By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples." What IS the state of our relationship to Christ? How are we "remaining" in him and he in us? What fruit are we bearing? AMEN
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