Branches Don't Need Management Consultants

[Sorry about the delay in posting and sending today’s post—I just forgot to do yesterday! —AF]

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At the Last Supper, Jesus speaks to his disciples about vines, branches, commitment, connectedness, and fruitfulness.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower.… Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches.… If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” —John 15:1-8

The branches don’t strain and they don’t strategize; the branches produce fruit naturally, effortlessly, because they are connected to the vine. Jesus promised his disciples that if they stayed connected to him, then their ministry would be fruitful.

My responsibility: to stay connected to the Lord.

His responsibility: producing cool stuff in my life.

I find that to be a life-giving idea: all I need to do is stay connected, and he will do the rest.

How can you let go of some of your stress today and let God do his work?

Today’s Scripture

John 15:1-17

Two Parables: Sons & Tenants

The Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32)

Klyne Snodgrass:

"God requires productive and obedient living from his people.... How did people ever get the idea that obedience to the will of God is optional?... Any separation of believing and doing is a distortion of the gospel message and is directly confronted by this parable. A person cannot believe apart from obedience....

"This parable also encourages us to remember that initial responses are not ultimate responses. An initial refusal does not have to stay a refusal, and an initial agreement is not enough. It must be lived."

Klyne Snodgrass, Stories With Intent: A Comprehensive Guide to the Parables of Jesus

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Matthew 21:33-46)

This is a parable of judgment against the Jewish religious leaders, but it is also a challenge to all of us: what are we doing with the spiritual potential God has given us? Are we laboring in the kingdom to produce more fruit, or are we just wasting its potential? Don't be deceived--Jesus says that we will each be held accountable for our actions.

Today’s Scripture:

Matthew 21:28-46

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