Return to the Vine – Part I
Scripture — John 15:4 (NRSV)
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.
Focus
The verb “abide” appears twelve times in this passage. Some of my favorite translations for abide are: “To remain, to dwell, to continue, to tarry, to endure, to sojourn.” I love the movement and energy of these active words that mean abide. In the First Nations Indigenous Translation of the New Testament, our indigenous scholars translate abide as: “stay joined.” The impetus of the verb abide takes on a whole different embodiment.
Devotion
This story is one of many “I Am” statements known in the Gospel of John under what is called his farewell discourse. Jesus loves to use agricultural metaphors and word pictures. He utilizes Mother Nature as a teacher and a conduit of truth. In this particular story he personifies nature and identifies himself with a common symbol known in the Mediterranean world: grapevines. He is contextual to the land and the land bears witness to who he is and what it looks like to have a relationship with him. Today I would like for us to lean into the verb connected with this vine, because the seeds of the gospel are in the verbs of Jesus.
The verb “abide” appears twelve times in this passage. Some of my favorite translations for abide are: “To remain, to dwell, to continue, to tarry, to endure, to sojourn.” I love the movement and energy of these active words that mean abide. In the First Nations Indigenous Translation of the New Testament, our indigenous scholars translate abide as: “stay joined.” The impetus of the verb abide takes on a whole different embodiment. I particularly love how “stay joined” is an active invitation to stay connected. That is all I have to do. Not a cerebral activity nor a theological debate. Just stay connected. The vine does the rest and the nourishing.
Jesus is the rooted one and we are the abiding ones. I have always felt the pressure to produce fruit, but the text says we bear the fruit. And yet before the bearing comes the abiding. There is a divine symbiosis happening between Vine and Branch. The mystery is in the abiding, in the connection, the place where the vine ends and the branch begins. The place where the branch buds is where the fruit begins. Let the seed of abiding germinate in your life, to graft yourself into the Vine that is Jesus.
Reflect
Which translation of “abide” stands out to you more today? Which one do you need to lean into during this Eastertide?
Act
Pick a different translation for “abide” and re-read John 15:1-11 with that translation. Sit and meditate on that.
Pray
God of the vine, may we remember that we are rooted and grounded in the soil of your everlasting love. In this season of Eastertide, may we slow down and pay attention to the ways we can stay joined to the vine. Help us to remove all that hinders that connection. May we remain quiet and calm, connected to the vine that is Jesus. May his presence provide all that we need as we sojourn with other pilgrims on this ongoing road of resurrection. Amén.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: I Am the Vine and You Are the Branches (John 15).
Inés Velásquez-McBryde
Chaplain at Fuller Theological Seminary & Pastor, Preacher, Speaker
Inés Velásquez-McBryde is a pastor, preacher, reconciler and mujerista theologian. She is the lead pastor and co-founder of The Church We Hope For. She is originally from Nicaragua, a third generation pastor, and the first pastora in her family. Inés earned her MDiv at Fuller Theolo...