Eastertide
April 29, 2018
Scripture Reading: John 15:1-8
‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 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. 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. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
One year when I was a child on the farm, we grew the most beautiful potato plants. We had had a lot of rain and the plants grew tall with rich green leaves and lots of little flowers. My mother was not happy with these plants at all. Their job was to produce potatoes for us to eat that grow below the ground not create pretty, little bushes we could enjoy for a few days. She was right. When the time came for the harvest these plants either grew no potatoes or only produced small ones.
Identifying purpose is important. It helps establish where limited resources should be targeted, it saves precious time often wasted. What is our primary purpose as followers of Christ? Jesus gave us the answer by saying we are to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves. Those two tasks should keep us busy through eternity. God created us as interdependent beings. None of us can do everything; all of us can do something to contribute to a world ruled by love.
I never quite know how to understand the phrase ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. I am not sure everything I wish for is good for me or for anybody else. We cannot separate this phrase from the whole sentence which begins, If you abide in me, and my words abide in you. Relationship with Christ matters as does not only being a student of his words but living his words.
Prayer: God of All, care for me in any way necessary to help me bear fruit toward the coming of a world ruled by love. Amen.