ABIDING IN CHRIST

(This is an abridged version of the sermon preached at Epworth Chapel, Baltimore on 5/6/12.)

John 15:1-11

In each of the New Testament gospels, the respective writer offers an account of the life and ministry of Jesus. Each of the four gospel writers is different in their approach in telling the story of Jesus Christ. For Matthew, the focus is on Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy - as the one who came to offer redemption and salvation to the world. In the Gospel according to Mark, we see Jesus as the son of man, the suffering servant who offers his life in service to the world. And in Luke’s gospel, the physician offers us the most vivid images of the compassion of Christ, who through his example and teachings shows us the importance of God’s love in and for the world.

But it is in John’s gospel that we get perhaps the clearest sense of who Jesus is. John offers a depiction of the identity of Jesus through what have been termed seven “I AM” statements. In these statements, Jesus shares with us who he is by declaring “I AM.” Jesus says at various places throughout the book of John that, “I am the bread of life...” “I am the light of the world…” “I am the door…” “I am the good shepherd”… “I am the way, the truth and the life”… “I am the resurrection and I am the life…”

And here finally in John 15, Jesus offers yet another glimpse into his identity when he says, “I am the true vine.” The backdrop here is the Last Supper as Jesus has gathered here in the upper room with his disciples. And it is here at this final meal that the Lord offers another perspective on the relationship that he seeks to have with those who would be his disciples. Jesus says, “I am the true vine… you are the branches abide in me as I abide in you…”

What is the Lord really trying to say about himself here? For those among us who might on occasion have a glass of grape juice with breakfast or a glass of wine with dinner, you might be like me and not have given a great deal of thought as to the process of growing grapes in a vineyard. I am from the city, and so to better understand what Jesus was suggesting here about himself when he said that “I am the true vine,” I had to dig a bit, and do a little research on the nature of vines and vineyards.

A few things that we might want to know about vines and vineyards are that:
• First, we find that the vine is the source of sustenance and survival for the branches that will grow from it. Everything that springs forth as life has to start from a source, and the vine is the source of life for the grapes that will eventually come forth from the branches.
• Second, we discover that as they grow from the vine, branches must first grow upward. In order to grow upward the branches are usually tied to an anchor – an arbor – that will hold the branches in place as they grow.
• Third, we discover that branches, as they grow upward, must also grow outward – away from their anchor – if they are to become fruitful - fruit-bearing branches.
• Finally, there is the reality that branches are to at some point be cut. Now this cutting in the vineyard occurs for two purposes. First, there is to be cutting off (and tying up) of those branches that are not bearing fruit. In other words, there is no room in the vineyard for branches that will not bear fruit.

Then cutting takes place for the purpose of pruning. The vine-keeper will, from time-to-time, take a pruning hook and prune the branches. It is the case that in the economy of God, pruning – cutting off some of the good and productive parts of branches - actually helps growth to occur, and helps fruit to be born to its fullest extent.

In talking about pruning, maybe Jesus wanted his disciples in that day to know – and he wants us to know – that it might be necessary for some things to be removed from our lives in order that growth can occur to its fullest extent. What are the areas in your life that need pruning? What are some of things that need to be pruned from your life in order that you might experience growth and bear fruit to its fullest extent? What are some of the things that we as the church need to prune away from our ministry in order that we may bear even more fruit in the days ahead?

What would it look like for us to prune some of our possessions, to prune some of our overextended time commitments, and to prune some of our busyness? What would it look like to prune until there was a new sense of balance and meaning in our lives?

Jesus says, “I am the vine and you are the branches… abide in me as I abide in you.” And so what might learn about our relationship with God with this image that the Lord puts before us here. I want to suggest that we reminded of at least three things here.

First, we are reminded that God is the source of all that we are or will ever be. In Jewish culture, wine was viewed as that which was a symbol of life. And without the vine – the source - there was not the possibility of healthy branches that would bear fruit, and make the production of wine possible. Many people in our world and even some in the church today forget who the source of their life is. Many people try to make in on their own, without any acknowledgement of God who created us, made us, knit us into who we are is the source of our being. God is our source.

Second, we need to be mindful to stay connected to the source. Jesus said “Abide in me, as I abide in you.” To abide is to live in constant connection to the source of life. As we seek to grow in Christ, it is important for us to remember to stay connected to the anchors of our faith. For Christians, these anchors include spiritual practices like prayer, worship, service to others, doing justice, loving kindness, walking humbly, and sharing in fellowship and the teachings in the church.

Third and finally, as we remember who our source is and we stay connected to the source – as we abide in Christ, and he abides in us - the good news is that God will give us the power to bear fruit and make a difference in the world. Abiding in Christ, and living in the reality that Christ abides in us is necessary for fruitfulness in the Christian life. And so as we abide in Christ, we have power to change the world!

Thanks be to God who is our source and strength for the living of these days!