Fifth Sunday of Easter, John 15:1-8
April 28, 2024
Rev. Veronica Alvarez
Faith/La Fe Evangelical Lutheran Church
Who loves a good wine?? When you taste a great wine do you think about the care and attention that the vineyard owner devotes to each vine, nurturing its growth, pruning away what is unfruitful, and ensuring that it remains connected to the source of its life to produce that great wine
Today's text is Jesus’ final "I am" saying and is part of his Farewell Discourses. His parting words are meant to give his followers strength for the days after his death.
Jesus uses the analogy of the vine and the branches to teach us about the importance of abiding in Him. He says, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener" (John 15:1). Jesus, as the true vine, is the source of life, nourishment, and sustenance for us, the branches and He gives us a vivid picture of our relationship with Christ and the role that God plays in nurturing and cultivating our spiritual lives
Just as branches draw their life from the vine, we draw our spiritual life from Christ. Through baptism, we are grafted into the vine of Christ, becoming part of His body, the Church. It is through this sacred sacrament that we are united with Christ and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
But being baptized and becoming members of the Church is only the beginning of our journey with Christ. Jesus tells us, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me" (John 15:4).
Remaining in Christ requires a continuous commitment to deepen our relationship with Him. It involves prayer, studying the Scriptures, participating in the sacraments, and living out our faith in our daily lives. Just as branches need to remain attached to the vine to bear fruit, we need to remain connected to Christ to bear fruits.
Jesus also warns us "If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned."
This verse is a stark reminder of the consequences of not abiding in Christ. Just as branches severed from the vine lose their source of nourishment and life, so too do those who disconnect themselves from Christ. They wither and eventually face destruction.
In our lives, there may be times when we drift away from our relationship with Christ. We become entangled in the cares of this world, distracted by our own desires, or overwhelmed by the challenges we face. But if we neglect our connection to Christ, we risk spiritual decay and ultimately, separation from him.
But there is hope. We can still make a triumphant return to Christ, no matter how far we have wandered. He is prepared to embrace us warmly when we return, and he is eager to restore our friendship with him. God mercifully forgives our sins and reconciles us to himself when we repent and return to him.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to bear fruit for the kingdom of God.
But what does it mean to bear fruit?
It’s not merely about outward actions or achievements; it’s about the transformation of our hearts and the overflow of God’s love in our lives.
It means living lives that reflect the character of Christ, lives marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It means being a light in the darkness, bringing hope to the hopeless, advocating for the marginalized, caring for the vulnerable, and working towards a more just and equitable society for all.
And this is where the passage from 1 John illuminates our understanding.
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God." These words echo the very essence of Jesus’ teachings. Love is not just a feeling or an emotion; it is the very nature of God Himself. God’s love is sacrificial, unconditional, and boundless. His love for us is so great that He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins so we can have abundant life
As recipients of this divine love, we are called to reflect it to the world. We are called to love one another, not with a shallow or selective love, but with the depth and breadth of God’s love. For when we love one another, God’s love is made complete in us.
Yet, this love is not passive or sentimental. It’s active and transformative. It drives out fear, it breaks down barriers, and it compels us to serve others selflessly. As the Apostle John writes, "Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen."
Therefore, abiding in Christ and abiding in love are inseparable. When we abide in Christ, His love flows through us, shaping our character, our relationships, and our actions. And as we abide in love, we bear fruit—fruit that testifies to our identity as disciples of Christ, fruit that brings glory to the Father.
Our connection to Christ is essential for bearing fruit. It is only when we abide in him, when we stay connected to Him through prayer, Scripture, worship, and fellowship, that we can bear fruit in our lives.
Just as branches need to be pruned in order to bear more fruit, so too does God prune us. He removes the things in our lives that hinder our growth and cause us to stray from him. It may be painful at times, but it is necessary for our spiritual development. As the apostle Paul writes in Hebrews 12:11, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
As parents we often have to discipline our children to teach them values, rules and responsibilities. Although correcting children can be difficult and unpleasant at the time, it helps mold their character and prepare them for responsible adulthood. It is the same thing God does with us, He prune us so we can grow spiritually
Today, as we celebrate the sacrament of baptism and welcome new members into our church family, let us remember the significance of these acts. Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ in his death and resurrection. It signifies our new life in Christ and our commitment to walk in obedience to him.
Let us welcome our new brothers and sisters with open arms, supporting and encouraging them as they embark on their journey of faith among us.
Jesus assures us that if we abide in Him and His words abide in us, our prayers will be answered. Our union with Christ empowers our prayers, aligning them with the will and purposes of God. Let us, therefore, approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that our requests are heard and answered according to His perfect wisdom and timing.
My dear friends, let us heed the words of Jesus and the exhortation of John. Let us abide in Christ, rooted deeply in His love. Let us love one another fervently, extravagantly, and unconditionally, for in doing so, we bear witness to the world of the transformative power of God’s love.
Do not be afraid of the pruning process, knowing that it leads to greater fruitfulness and spiritual maturity.
May we be known not by our words alone but by the fruit of love that we bear, for it is by this fruit that we truly reflect the image of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
