Lent Day 6: The One True Vine

I am gripped on this sixth lenten morning by John 15:5,

"I am the vine;

you are the branches.

If anyone remains in Me and I in them,

they will bear much fruit;

apart from Me you can do nothing."

This familiar verse takes on a different meaning to me as the word 'love' buzzes like honeybees everywhere I look. Indeed, everyone -- the media, politicians, the clergy, salesmen, the academy, custodians, the populace, activists, etc. -- is chanting one tune and one tune only:

Love is all that matters.

A brief self-inquiry reveals that I too readily join my voice to the unison of the above popular tune . . . that is, until someone, anyone infringes upon the minutest perceived right I hold dear . . . or until the one person who promises never to leave me goes without ever looking back. It is in such times that I sense bitterness, resentment, and hatred welling up within my heart.

It becomes crystal clear to me that I simply cannot love at all unless I remain rooted, grafted, and built on Christ and in Him alone. He is the vine; I am but a branch. Yet, connected to Him, I can bear much fruit. The problem is, I find myself wanting to be attached to other vines. By the same token, other vines are constantly seeking to snatch me away from the One true vine.

See, all of us share a similar plight. Daily, we are assaulted by numerous "vines" vying and contending for our allegiance. They promise, offer, advertise, and assert all kinds of enticing claims that they simply cannot deliver.

-  Spouses propose, "Make us your top priority and you will find unmatched, unequalled love."

-  Friends tender, "Come along with us and trust us. We are the only ones to be trusted."

-  Religious traditions proffer, "Stick with us and you will always enjoy the most profound spiritual experiences. After all, why re-invent the wheel?"

-  Employers and supervisors say, "Take this position and abide in us, and we will grant you ultimate success and notoriety."

-  The world recommends, "Invest your all into status, riches, entertainment, self-indulgence, and I will lead you to discover your true self."

All such vines, even the ones created for our good, fall short of the glory of God. They simply cannot compete with the love of Christ, the One true vine. It is in Him alone our hope, joy, peace, fulfillment, satisfaction, contentment can be found. He is our strength, our sustenance, our song, and our salvation! In Him alone we can find our true fruitfulness in the world—loving and being loved, fully knowing and being fully known. His heavenly vine supplies everything we need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3)

Songwriter Tommy Walker reminds us of the loving and fruit-producing characteristics of the Godhead:

"Patient, compassionate,

Love flows through You;

You never give up on the hopeless ones:

These things are true of You.

Holy and blameless,

You stand up for justice and truth;

Yet You love mercy and forgiveness:

These things are true of You.

And as I turn my face to You,

Oh Lord, I ask and pray.

By the power of Your love and grace,

Make these things true of me, too."

-- Extracted from These Things Are True of You

Powerful truths!

Indeed, the gospel reminds us we can only love because God first loved us. 

It is onto His love we are invited to cling. 

It is His love that unleashes and releases our heart.

It is His love that compels us to live for the One who died and rose again.

It is the love of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit what will never ever fail us. 

Let us pray, therefore, asking the Father of grace to keep our eyes fixed on the sufficiency of Christ. Let us pray that all of our being might remain glued to Him so that we may grow to love Him and to love our fellow man, as He desires. Let us pray that our ears will remain attentive to the Holy Spirit as He draws us to love and rely solely upon God’s precious Word.

Such a love is all that matters.