Thursday (3/26/20)

Read John 15:1-17

Jesus’ words have the power to cleanse!  

 It can be confusing why this verse is in the middle of this illustration of the vine and the branches.  But, oh, this is one of my favorite illustrations!  A plant is cleansed by pruning off defects so that it can grow more fruit.  

A branch on its own cannot bear fruit; it will shrivel up and die.  The only way to bear fruit is to be connected to the source of nutrients: the vine. 

Throughout the Old Testament, Israel is referred to as a vine (Psalm 80:8, Isaiah 5:7). They were a people connected to God. All the power the disciples had from Jesus to perform miracles and speak His words was because they were connected to Jesus. 

Judas Iscariot, however, broke away from the vine. He didn’t trust in the vine; instead, he turned to the Pharisees for provision, but that path led him to despair and death. Just as plants need water daily, so we need God daily to be nourished.

  • What are you doing to ensure that His words remain in you?

KNOW (what does the text say about God?)
BE (What does the text say about us?)
DO (what is the text calling me to do?)

KNOW:

BE:

DO: