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May 2, 2021"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 every one 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 15: 1-4]
There are very few parables in the Gospel According to John like those we encounter in the other three gospel portraits of Jesus. The parables of the Good Shepherd (Chapter 10), the Seed (Chapter 12) and the Vine and the Branches (Chapter 15) are the closest things to a parable that we find in John. But their very scarcity makes them all the more worthy of attention. The Good Shepherd and Vine/Branches images emphasize the importance of the relationship between Jesus and the person of faith. Last Sunday, "Good Shepherd Sunday," the image of the relationship between a good shepherd and the flock was presented. Today, the image of the vine and branches is featured.
Grapevines, at least the kind grown commercially, require a lot of attention because of the necessary blend of soil, climate and discipline of the vines. I live in a major wine-producing region (Yes! West Texas!) and the wine growing (viticulture) language and culture are all around me. If anything happens to the stock of the vine, the rest of the vine will suffer. The branches, where fruit develops, come and go because of the necessary pruning at the end of the season. The stock remains. We who are branches have our season to bear fruit. The vine stock stays on. What is important is that our connection to the stock is healthy and unbroken. This is the meaning of the word "remain" in the image. As Jesus says, "Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, for without me you can do nothing." A steady life-giving relationship with Jesus is the source of all good we can accomplish as Christians. AMEN!
