DAY THIRTY – Tuesday, March 23, 2021
John 15:1-12
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
“Love one another” Jesus enjoins the disciples. What might that mean to us these days?
Here it’s more than a feeling, as it is in the Hollywood movies we’ve perhaps been watching too many of in these shut-in days.
What John 15 is speaking of is behaviour ~ what is it we are supposed to do to show love for one another? In these days of the Covid pandemic we are given answers multiple times per day: wash hands, wear a mask that covers nose and mouth, stay two metres distant from one another, stay home except for essential trips, postpone vacations, get the vaccinations when available.
All of these create protection and love for one another and ourselves, fulfilling Christ’s mandate.
John Brown
John 15:1-12
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
“Love one another” Jesus enjoins the disciples. What might that mean to us these days?
Here it’s more than a feeling, as it is in the Hollywood movies we’ve perhaps been watching too many of in these shut-in days.
What John 15 is speaking of is behaviour ~ what is it we are supposed to do to show love for one another? In these days of the Covid pandemic we are given answers multiple times per day: wash hands, wear a mask that covers nose and mouth, stay two metres distant from one another, stay home except for essential trips, postpone vacations, get the vaccinations when available.
All of these create protection and love for one another and ourselves, fulfilling Christ’s mandate.
John Brown
