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April 28, 2024
“The Vine and The Branches”
As Jesus taught his disciples, he used many parables to illustrate his teaching. John 15:1-8 is not explicitly identified as a parable. But, like Jesus’ more explicit parables, it does use an everyday example, a grapevine, to illustrate a spiritual truth.
But what is that truth? What does he mean by identifying himself as a vine and his followers as branches attached to that vine?
A grapevine is a shrub that produces long vines, each of which can produce clusters of grapes. These grapes can be eaten fresh, dried as raisins, or juiced and fermented into wine.
Left to themselves, grapevines will mainly produce vines and leaves with few grapes. Only with careful pruning can the skilled vinedresser or gardener coax them into producing large clusters of plump grapes. But with careful attention and the right conditions, they will produce an abundant harvest.
In John chapter 15:1, Jesus identified himself as the true vine. He is referring here to the central stalk rooted in the ground and provides support and nourishment to the branches attached to it. In John 15:5, Jesus identifies his disciples as the fruit-bearing branches. While referring to those in the room with him, the implication is that all believers have the role of fruit-bearing branches.
We must remain in Christ, however but if we fail to remain in Christ, Jesus tells us that we are like broken-off branches that wither and are picked up and thrown into the fire. But, if we remain connected to the vine, we will receive the life-giving nourishment we need to live and produce fruit. Only by staying connected can we bear fruit.
Join us on Sunday in-person or on-line worship as we further explore Jesus as the “True Vine”.
“I don’t know how, but I know WHO!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Nelda
~ Reverend Dr. Nelda Barrett Murraine has been pastor at First United Methodist Church of Kennedale since Nov. 2014. She invites anyone reading this to join us for worship this Sunday at 11:00 am.
First United Methodist Church
Sunday Worship - 11:00 am
229 W 4th St.
Kennedale, TX
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