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1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He 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. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain 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. 5I 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”.
John 15:1-5 NIV
Introduction:
As there is no fruit without a vine, there cannot be life without Jesus. “I am the way, the truth and the life”: Jesus said. Life means continuing living and producing more fruits. The words of Jesus to his disciples: “apart from me you can do nothing” it is clear that no Jesus, no life.
Jesus gives an important advice to his disciples for their continuing living.
The reason was that they could not do anything without Jesus. In other words, they will not continue living or succeed in life. This is something to do with faith. They were told to believe and to depend completely on Jesus who is the Vine.
Questions to be reflected on are:
Meditation and Reflection:
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” (Gen.22.:2)
Abraham was completely obedient to God and His will. He surrendered everything to God and accepted even to sacrifice his son, Isaac even if it means he would suffer for the death of his son. However, he was given a ram as a substitute. Every believer must be obedient to the will of God even if it means to suffer for Him.
Conclusion:
It is my prayer that each one of us should strive to abide in Jesus so as to continue living and therefore be fruitful.
As a Christian Community let us be obedient to God on all things as we surrender to Him in humility. He will bless us as He blessed Abraham and through him the whole earth is blessed.
We are called to live a holy life and we can only do this by the help of God through prayer and by reading God’s word.
The Most Revd. Ezekiel Kondo
Primate/ Archbishop of Province of Episcopal Church of Sudan
Bishop of the Diocese of Khartoum.
