I Am the Vine

In John 15, Jesus is walking through a vineyard on, what I imagine, was a warm evening with a faint rustle of wind in the trees, and an amber sunset in the backdrop. I imagine grapes full and plump weighing down the vine.

As Jesus walks through this field, He begins to talk to his followers about God's love for this world and His desire for partnership with us, and through us. He begins to talk about the nature of vines and their branches saying, “I am the vine and you are the branches. Without me you cannot produce a good harvest. Remain in me and together we will produce an abundance of fruit." 

Several days later, we are presented an image of these followers in an Upper Room. They are behind a locked door and frightened for their lives as they sought to escape from the soldiers, or the mob trying to punish them. 

Such a contrast. There is not much hope in this room. There is nothing but fear, uncertainly and grief. 

This is Easter Saturday. 

While this is not always the image we remember when we think about Easter, it does come to mind as a mood that many of us are experiencing at this point in time with Lockdown 2.0.

In the book of John, chapter 15, Jesus goes further to suggest that sometimes the gardener, God, must not only prune dead wood, but also trim clean good branches so that better, newer, fresher, more fertile fruit may come about. 

It is indeed possible, that through this time, God is doing something good in us; shaping us and de-cluttering the busyness of our world in order for us to be more in-tune and in-partnership with Him.  It might be Saturday night… but Sunday is indeed coming!

We may be home more often and life may have taken a pause, but all is not lost. Just as the depth of winter produces new growth, we too, are in the midst of a re-shaping and re-imagining for the spring that will come soon.

May we pause, take a breath, and be encouraged through this time that we are part of His vineyard. Much fruit has come and will come again!

Sunday is coming!

 PSALM 27. 1-3; 5 

                The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?

                The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?

                When evil things advance against me to devour my soul;

                when my enemies and my foes attack me;

                they will stumble and fall.

                For in the day of trouble, He will keep me safe in His dwelling;

                He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.