Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: May 21, 2025

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 reading for today continues our reading of Jesus’ “Final Discourse” with the disciples before His arrest, crucifixion, and death. Today’s text is the familiar “Vine and Branches” sermon where Jesus underscores for all disciples our dependence upon Him. He is the vine; we are the branches who can do nothing without Him. He stresses the need to remain in Him as He promises to remain in us – without Him we can bear no fruit.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Am I striving daily to “remain” in Christ and give Christ room in me and my life to remain?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Savior, send the Spirit to help us as we strive to “remain” in You. Help us to sweep away the unnecessary in our lives that falsely fill us. Grant that our hearts and minds may recognize the wholeness possible only with You. Strengthen our resolve to remain in You for we do know that without You we can do nothing. May our loving desire to glorify the Father through our life in, with and through You, bear fruit. Amen.