The Root of Life

Read--John 15: 1-5

Thre are times when Jesus' parables make us stop and wondering what he is talking about. There are other times when Jesus speaks using metaphors and things seem so abundantly clear. John 15 is an example of the clear metaphor: life is dependent upon being and remaining connected to Christ. To go along with the vine/branch metaphor...when was the last time you saw a branch severed from its vine/trunk that was continuing to live? My guess is never. Just as a tree branch that is severed from the trunk will shrivel and die, so too will a life that is lived separated from Christ. This branch might give the appearance of having life, but it will eventually become hollow, dying from the inside out. The branch that remains connected, however, will bear fruit and will continue to flourish.

This is a glorious illustration of not only an individual life but also for the church as a whole. The life of the church is dependent upon our abiding, remaining connected to, Christ. This goes not just for a specific church in a specific location, but for the Church--all who claim the name of Jesus Christ! We have our differences on doctrine, interpretations of Scripture and history, church government, etc, etc, etc., but we share one thing in common: Christ! If we cut ourselves off from Christ and what God is trying to do through Jesus in this world, we will die. I say this not as a threat, but as a hope for the Church. We are all connected to one another by virtue of faith in Jesus Christ. He is our branch and we are His vines.
Loving God, we are grateful for the life you give us in Christ. Keep us connected, we pray, to Him and to one another. Join our lives together, that we might experience life more deeply and fully than ever before. In Christ, AMEN.