Do you remember last week’s devotion on Day four of week one, where we talked about the two branches? Today we are going to focus on another branch that Jesus talked about. This is found in John 15:2: 1) Branches that belong to Jesus but aren’t bearing fruit need to be “lifted” by the gardener – Father. 2) Branches that belong to Jesus and are bearing fruit need to be carefully pruned for even greater fruit production.
Now we will learn about the third branch – the kind that doesn’t remain in the vine. This is about the branch that chooses to leave. In verse 6, we get down to the nitty-gritty thing called decision making and free will. We, as humans, get to decide if we want to go or stay with the Vine.
In John 6, Jesus is speaking to a crowd of would-be followers about important spiritual truths that are complex. He said about how He is the bread of heaven that came down from heaven. He said only Spirit gives eternal life. Our works do nothing for our salvation. Go ahead and read John 6:66-67 to see what this crowd did.
Are you going to leave? We are not made to remain connected to our Vine. It is entirely voluntary. He does, however, compel us to stay in a thousand gentle ways.
What if we choose every day to either abide or bloom or pull away and begin to wither? What if our daily choice to remain in Jesus or do life on our own determines whether we grow today’s portion of fruit or lose our ragged human efforts in the fire of futility? Bloom or burn might be a daily choice when it comes to abiding in Jesus.
Have you ever tried to do life without God? What was your result? What did you learn from this experience?
Jesus describes this branch in four different ways. They are thrown aside – no longer valid or fruitful, and they miss out on the joy of being productive. They are withered and gathered by others for their own purpose and burned. Read Hebrews 10:38-39. By what do the righteous life? Why do you think it takes faith to abide in Jesus tenaciously? How does God feel about those who turn away? What are the different outcomes mentioned in verse 39?
What do we learn from Mark 4:14-20.
Are you going to stay and abide or leave?
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that we will choose to abide in you and not walk away from you. I pray that we will not have a rebellious heart.
In Jesus Name
Amen
