February 24th Lenten Reflection

John 15:1,6-16

Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 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. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.”

Reflection by Tom Lewis

Great. Another farming story. But the grape vine is life to the People of God in the Land. The grapes (also known as summer fruit in the Bible) are the obvious crop, but grapes also make wine for drinking, and for its antiseptic properties. The leaves can be used as feed for livestock, or when fresh for human food. Vines woven make baskets, and in a place where wood is scarce, for the handles on implements and brooms. When you see vines in scripture, think “Life.” Grapes grow only on new vines, and all year-old vines are pruned and either used or burned. If Jesus is the true vine, Jesus is complete life.

The meaning of the word, “abide,” used often in John’s gospel, describes the close living relationship God seeks in us. God the author of life seeks a relationship with that life. This is a God who never gives up on us, but tends us so we have abundant life to sustain us. We, the vines, continue to embody life and sustenance for everyone who is placed in our path. Our relationship of life with our creator is carried out in our relationships with others. It is our grape vine mission. We aren’t just another farming story.