Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: May 1, 2024

Date:   Wednesday of the 5th Week 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 everyone 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 text for today continues our reading of Jesus’ “Final Discourse to the Disciples” before His arrest, crucifixion, death and resurrection. It is notable that this is the same gospel text we read this past Sunday. It merits repeating; it merits more consideration. During this holy season of Easter, where we celebrate life, it does us good to ponder the very source of our life and all loving goodness that we experience as disciples of Jesus Christ. Truly, as the branches – the ones who draw life and purpose from the vine – it is good for us to contemplate our need for Christ, our dependence upon Christ, our reliance on Christ. It is good to see ponder the fruit our lives bear because of Him. It is good to sit with the truth for a while – “Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I remain with Christ? Do I cling to Christ as my savior? What fruit do I bear for others benefit and for the glory of the Father because of my relationship with Christ?

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.