God’s Mission
John 15:1-8
The Vine and the Branches
I 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.
~ Jesus
John 15:5
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He 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. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain 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.
5 “I 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. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Trel·lis: /ˈtrelis / Definition: A framework of light wooden or metal bars, chiefly used as a support for fruit trees or climbing plants.
Pondering Point
Read John 15:1-8. In church circles of ages past, a term called “rule of life” described how people structured their lives around God. Each person was to have his or her own trellis, or “rule of life,” to support spiritual fruit-bearing that would occur due to being connected to Jesus the Vine.
You might imagine that each trellis would end up looking unique, even with similar structure patterns. So it is with our life in God. We all need to be connected to the Vine personally. We all could benefit from a structure or lifestyle that plans for time in God’s Word, time under God’s Spirit, and time with God’s people to assist with connection.
But for each of us it will end up looking different.
Here is something to do: Draw (or at least imagine) a picture of you and Jesus based on this. The drawing/contemplation time with Jesus serves as your prayer of the day.
Journal Prompt:
Draw (or at least imagine) a picture of you and Jesus based on the concept of a trellis. The drawing/contemplation time with Jesus serves as your prayer of the day.
John 10:14-15
Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two
The
Great Sending
Word of the Day
John 10:14-15
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.