Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 28, 2024

Date:   5th Sunday of Easter

Scripture Text:  John 15:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples: "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. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire, and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want, and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel for today presents Jesus’ allegorical sermon of the vine and the branches as recounted in the Gospel of John. This allegory or expanded metaphor sets forth the truth of our reliance upon, even utter dependence upon, Christ; Christ is the vine, we are but the branches. Our fruitfulness depends upon our relationship with Christ as the fruitfulness of the branch depends upon its source, the vine. Jesus urges us to remain in Him as He remains in us and reveals the truth that without Him we can do nothing. Jesus’ final words for today give us our earthly assignment: “By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Am I firmly attached to my Savior, Jesus Christ? Or do I seek to go it alone?

Praying:

LORD,  Almighty Father, your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, revealed You to us in new and marvelous ways and let us glimpse more clearly in your love through His words, his deeds, and even His selfless sacrifice upon the cross of Calvary for our sins. Send your Spirit to fuel our love for You, to stir up within us more perfectly the desire to be the daughters and sons You created us to be and the disciples Jesus calls us to be. Grant that through our relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ, and through our living all that He called us to live, we may bear fruit through our lives and loving relationships and bring You glory. We ask this in the name of  your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.