It’s easy for Christians to fall into a rut: Church is a thing you do, prayer is a box to check, and faith seems far from “the real world.” This fall we let Jesus himself confront our ruts. “Do you believe this?” he asks (Jn. 11:26).
To believe in Jesus is to experience him. It’s more than logic, argument, and doctrine. It is intimate knowledge of God himself. This fall, let Jesus himself speak to you in his seven “I AM” statements in the gospel of John. How is he changing you? What response is he inspiring in you? To believe in him changes everything.
Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Ponder
Today we ponder the I AM statement: “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” Think about your favorite door – your house, your church, a favorite old building, etc. Ponder all the things that doors do – protect, guard, welcome into a home . . . . How is Jesus a door for you?
Word
John 15:5
“I am the vine: you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
Meditation: Family by Anna Jacob
When I think of this verse I immediately think of family.
John 15:5 was my oldest brother’s confirmation verse. The youth group room at our childhood church seemed to always be transforming from year to year. When my brother was a senior in high school, I was graduating from 8th grade. During this year, the youth group room got an upgrade which included a signable wall. This started a tradition for the graduating seniors to write a message and/or verse for the rest of the youth group members. Sadly, I do not recall what message he wrote. However, when I hear these words, “I am the vine: you are the branches,” I think back to the image of them written out on that white board in green letters in my brother’s handwriting.
My brother continues to live out this verse in his adult life. He continues to abide with Jesus. He has brought Jesus into his family home, a faith he shares openly with his own children. He is involved at church where he now shares his faith with the next generation as one of their youth leaders. It is easy for me to see that his relationship with God has helped him to bear much fruit.
Another image that comes to mind when I reflect on Jesus’ words mentioning vines and branches, is of the various vine plants growing in several areas around my home and yard. These vines try to grow anywhere they can reach. On other plants. Up the side of my house. Along the wooden fence. They are resilient.
And like these plants, we have a resilient God. He sent Jesus to be present with us through everything. When we fail to cling to him, he is sure to cling to us.
This imagery of vines has me thinking of the family of God. The family we are born into and the one we join when we are baptized. It is the family we are a part of when we confirm our faith. This family connects on Sunday and takes communion together. This family works together in the community and supports each other during life transitions. It is a family that fellowships together, prays for one another, celebrates and morns with one another. A family, which through Christ, continues to bear fruit.
In this picture, all the branches connect to the vine and they reach out, continuing to add on, growing like a family tree.
However, for those single individuals without a spouse or children, the idea of a family tree can often feel isolating. The imagery can look like a deadend. But these verses can help remind us that we are all connected to Christ. Your relationship to Christ is not reliant upon fulfilling a certain role. You abide in him and he abides in you regardless of your status.
This was a connection that became very important to me during the pandemic. As those around me were at home with family, I slowly began to feel more isolated and alone. But with Jesus, my loneliness can become bearable. When I remember to abide in him, to abide in his word, to abide in his presence, to abide in prayer, I am a better person. I may still deal with depression. I may still feel lonely. Yet with God, I am never unloved.
Dear Lord, thank you for being my resilient redeemer. With your help, I can face life’s challenges. Help me to stay connected and remember to abide in you. In your name I pray, Amen.
Prayer
Jesus, you said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” I often feel left outside, far from you. Bring me in. Welcome me into the home of your presence. Be my door, for you alone are my security. Amen.
Benediction
The Lord preserve us from all evil; the Lord preserve our souls. The Lord preserve our going out and our coming in, from this time forth, and even forevermore. Amen. (Ps. 121:7-8)