John 15:1-8 (NRSV)
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Chapter 15"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. Verse 2He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. Verse 3You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Verse 4Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. Verse 5I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Verse 6Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. Verse 7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. Verse 8My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
Devotion
Emil Peterson was the plumber in Kirkland, Ill., during the Great Depression. He always sat in the second pew, holding a hearing assist to his ear. He would fill in for my dad, the pastor, once in a while and would shout so that he could hear himself.
He began each day at his desk, where he would read his daily devotions and pray for those whose pictures or letters were tacked on his bulletin board.
It was this prayer routine that led Emil to walk in on us while we were eating breakfast. Dad had just announced that the coal company had cut us off. The church was not always able to pay Dad and consequently the coal and grocery bills were not always paid on time.
"What do the Nelsons need?" the plumber shouted.
"What are you talking about?" Dad replied, clearly taken back.
"Well I was talking with God this morning, and God said, 'Stop at the Nelsons. They're in trouble.'"
Later, Mom looked in the icebox and tucked away on one of the shelves was $10. Dad only made $60 a month. We ordered coal.
Emil was attached to the True Vine. We tasted of the fruit.
Prayer
Owner of the vineyard, pruner of the branches, vitalize our connection to the true vine that we might bear fruit for your glory. Amen.