Lent Devotional Day 34

Day 34
Monday, March 27

John 15:1-17
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vineyard keeper. 2 He removes any of my branches that don’t produce fruit, and he trims any branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit. 3 You are already trimmed because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch can’t produce fruit by itself, but must remain in the vine. Likewise, you can’t produce fruit unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything. 6 If you don’t remain in me, you will be like a branch that is thrown out and dries up. Those branches are gathered up, thrown into a fire, and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples.

9 “As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete. 12 This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I don’t call you servants any longer, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. Instead, I call you friends, because everything I heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you could go and produce fruit and so that your fruit could last. As a result, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. 17 I give you these commandments so that you can love each other.”

Reflection
John 15:1-17 is a powerful reminder of the close relationship we have with Jesus. In this passage, Jesus compares himself to a vine and us to its branches, explaining that just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself, we cannot live a fulfilling life without being connected to him. The vine provides the necessary nutrients and support for the branches to grow and bear fruit, and in the same way, Jesus is the source of our strength and vitality.

As we remain in Jesus and follow his commands, we can live lives that are full of purpose and joy. By staying connected to him, we are able to bear much fruit and live out the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that he desires for us to exhibit. In John 15:5, Jesus says, "I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing." A quote that I find fitting for this passage is by St. Mother Teresa who said, "I know God won't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much." When we are connected to Jesus and drawing strength and support from him, we can handle anything that comes our way. We can bear fruit and live lives of purpose and joy, even if there is a little anxiety around what we’re facing! By remaining in Jesus and following his commands, we can live lives that are full of purpose and joy. By staying connected to him, we are able to bear much fruit and live out the love, joy, peace, and all the other fruits of the Spirit. Just as the vine provides the necessary nutrients and support for the branches to grow, so too does Jesus provide for us in every aspect of our lives.

By Jeff Allen