Return to the Vine – Part II
Scripture — John 15:5 (NRSV)
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.
Focus
Jesus urges the connection with him; to remain, to stay joined. And this being joined is what will bear the fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing. Without being, there is no doing. The vine is rooted to the dirt which holds the nutrients and the water that nourish the roots of the Vine. What is freeing is that it is the vine’s responsibility to nourish and through that connection the Vine turns water into wine. A slow, modern miracle!
Devotion
Yesterday I leaned into the word “abide” and the various translations that help us feel, sense, and embody what it means to stay connected to Jesus the vine. As we sit in this season of spring, awaiting blooms to bud, then flower, then produce fruit, there is no better time to take notice. Whatever is happening in the quiet secret of the junction between the vine and the bud and branch, it will burst forth in bloom and fruit! You can’t plant a grapevine and get tomatoes.
Jesus urges the connection with him; to remain, to stay joined. And in this being joined is what will bear the fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing. Without being, there is no doing. The vine is rooted to the dirt which holds the nutrients and the water that nourish the roots of the Vine. What is freeing is that it is the vine’s responsibility to nourish and through that connection the Vine turns water into wine. A slow, modern miracle!
As we go about our work, could our work also be to see what challenges our abiding? If we are invited to stay joined, what un-joins us? What breaks connection, what dis-connects us? As you continue on this slow road of resurrection, may you slow down to stay connected in all the places where Jesus is inviting you to engage connection. This, too, is holy work of resurrection.
Reflect
How can Eastertide invite you to become resurrected in all the places where you feel disconnected?
Act
My word for Lent was declutter. I have felt the Spirit invite me to carry it over into Eastertide as a way to continue removing all that hinders connection between me and God, myself, and others. How about you, what hinders your abiding?
Pray
God who abides, who waits, who invites, who pays attention to all the points of dis-connection in our lives, without judgement. Tenderly care for us like the vinegrower and let us abide that we may be nourished by your divine love. As we continue to wait for resurrection in all the broken places of our lives, thank you for the invitation not to produce fruit, but just to remain and abide. You will work out the rest. Amén.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the High Calling archive, hosted by the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Building a Reputation.
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...