Read John 15:1-8

Read John 15:1-8

15  “I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. ²He breaks off every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it will be clean and bear more fruit. ³You have been made clean already by the teaching I have given you. ⁴Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me. ⁶Whoever does not remain in me is thrown out like a branch and dries up; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, where they are burnt. ⁷If you remain in me and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it. ⁸My Father’s glory is shown by your bearing much fruit; and in this way you become my disciples.

Think

In chapter 14 Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit and then he goes on to speak about he is the vine and we are the branches.  Such an intimate picture of our partnership with Jesus as his disciples in the world.  Because of the vine we bear fruit - and that fruit is God's love made real in the world.

Pray

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it." (Verse 7)

I'm quite sure Jesus is not talking about us asking for fancy cars and big houses - he is encouraging us to pray for his Kingdom.  Pray that the Kingdom would come in you.