Monday Morning Devotion - The Vine
This is week SEVEN, the final week in our seven-part devotion series, brought to you by Pastor Ricky Jacob, our Lutheran Indian Ministries Associate Pastor serving the Winnebago people of Nebraska.
When Moses spoke to God, he asked for God’s name. And God replied, “I am that which I am.”
This seven-part devotion series will reflect on Jesus’ “I am” statements in the Gospel.
Skip to a specific week:
Bread of Life
Light of the World
Door of the Sheep
Good Shepherd
Resurrection and Light
Way, Truth, & Life
The Vine
Today’s “I am” statement is: I am the Vine.
Being and staying connected seems the most important need for today’s youth. Some would much rather live life without a limb than go without their cell phone. Many are so attached to staying in touch with their friends, that a cruel and unusual punishment today would be turning off the wifi signal in one’s home, or taking away the charger for one’s computer or cell phone. Having one’s battery diminish slowly and inevitably is harsh, for sure. One who receives the notification sound that a text has arrived, can hardly wait to read it – even while driving.
Yet, there are texts that go unread day in and day out. There is one that can be connected to, in spite of zero wifi reception, or even a massive power failure. The text I’m referring to is the Bible, now written in thousands of languages and available in audio formats. And the one I referred to is God.
You have the opportunity to reconnect with your Creator through God’s Son. Jesus put it this way:
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser… Abide in me, and I in you. 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. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:1, 4-5)
How does one remain connected to Jesus? It is through faith in Him. The Holy Spirit works faith in the believer and empowers the connection to remain strong. The end result is that the believer bears much fruit and is a blessing to others and gives glory to God.
I close with these words:
We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. (1 John 5:20)