Daily devo for 2/1/21
Passage: John 15:1-8 - http://bible.faithlife.com/bible/esv/jn15.1-8
How is Jesus "the vine"?
What imperatives are we given?
How do we follow those imperatives in practice?
What are the outcomes?
What personal prayer comes from this passage?
John 15:1–8English Standard Version
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears...
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Colby E. Kinser — Edited
Jesus is "the vine" first in the sense that Israel was supposed to be the vine, but never lived up to it, so Jesus fulfills the OT expectations of Israel. Second, He is where the nutrition is, He is where the unity happens, His business is what the Father is attending to, He alone can produce the fruit, and judgment of the branches is based on one's relationship to Him. The imperatives are to abide in Him and to abide in His Word. Note, we are not commanded to bear fruit. We abide in His Word by knowing it and following it. We abide in Him by drawing our life from Him, doing His will, being busy about His agenda, worshiping Him, following Him. We must never get into following a set of rules, but following a person that we realize we draw our strength from, that our relationship with Him is how the Father will respond to us, that demonstrating that we are His disciples actually does glorify the Father, and that Jesus bearing fruit through us also glorifies the Father. The outcomes are eternal fruit borne through us and glory to the Father. It's really not about us. One personal prayer would be to transform my mind to be more motivated by glorifying the Father than by counting the fruit.Bruce West — Edited
Jesus is the channel by which I will receive spiritual nutrients. Intact and attached branches will naturally bear fruit. We are to stay attached to the vine and take in nutrients. Appearing to remain in the vine (LOOKING like I'm still attached, but not) will result in me withering. It does not benefit the living plant for me to remain attached and the plant trying to heal or re-attach me. This seems cold given we are told to restore such people. But, it is God's prerogative to do with His garden what He wants. When I forsake the gathering of the saints, am too busy to pray or meditate on Scripture, and are not accountable to any believers, I have ceased abiding. Danger Will Robinson. What ensues will likely not be pleasant. Father, make it clear to me when I'm not abiding. Make my heart tender enough that it matters to me that I resolve it.