Are You Connected To The Cross?
Good Morning Friends,
Before we know it we will be into Lent and the journey to the cross begins again. Along the way we will likely be tested and the testing of the cross will reveal our hearts. As a way of worship and as a way of decision-making we might just bring all of our baggage of what is happening out in the world and lay it at the foot of the cross. And here we might just realize just how difficult it is for good and evil to coexist easily. And here in this tension we also might learn that the amazing thing about Jesus on the cross is that this event is the one place in history that exemplifies every virtue and every sin for the purpose of glorifying God. Are You Connected To The Cross?
Scripture: ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide 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. I 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. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 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. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
John 15:1-11 (NRSV)
They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.
Exodus 12:7 (NRSV)
Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.
Matthew 7:7 (NRSV)
Message: In today’ scripture Jesus paints a simple picture of himself as the main vine of the vineyard, and we are the branches that grow off of him. God the Father is the gardener. He prunes. He cuts into our lives and removes the things that are not necessary for the good life. He wants us to have life and have it abundantly and that means we are to produce. In the vineyard of our lives, some branches are thrown away. Some are pruned. Some are fruitful. But to live, all must be connected. That is why we must be yoked to His purposes. Friends, the goal is not just to live but to become a fruitful branch… obedient… serving…loving in a way that brings glory to the Father at the cross. If you seek the example of love, know that in Jesus there is no greater love for he lay down his life for his friends. If you seek patience, you will find no better example than the suffering and endurance of Christ on the cross. If you seek an example of humility, look upon the crucified one. If you seek an example of obedience, follow him who became obedient to the Father even unto death. If you seek an example of despising earthly things, remember that upon the cross Jesus was stripped, mocked, spat upon, stabbed, crowned with thorns, and given only vinegar and gall to drink. The reality is that we all end up on the cross, the bad, the penitent and the Holy. Suffering is our heritage… but also an opportunity to identify with Christ. Indeed we need to connect with Christ to understand that we must die to self before we are resurrected…to live, our sins need to die on the cross. God wants us to be yoked to His Kingdom work. He wants us to be connected to the work He gave us all in the garden and made possible for us to achieve when connected to his work on the cross. Friends, God wants us to produce good fruits. He wants us to connect with Jesus Christ and his work on the cross, because apart from Him we can do nothing for the Kingdom. The message of the cross and forgiveness…message of the cross and fruitfulness…the message of the cross and the flesh of our foliage, the message of the cross and His friendship is clear. We must be plugged into the power of His life and here connect in love with each other. As friends at the cross, as branches on the trellis, we must stay in touch. We must connect to Christ on the cross.
Pray that Jesus was thinking of us on the cross. Pray we abide with Him….the vine on the cross. Pray that what started at the cross is sanctified in our lives. Pray that we rejoice in the Lord for His victory on the cross. Pray we receive His prayer on the cross that we might open the door of forgiveness. Pray we focus on the cross where God’s faithfulness was fully demonstrated. Pray with thanksgiving that God produce fruits of faith in our lives. Pray that we are connected to the vine, the branches, and the gardener. Pray that we help others understand the peace and mercy of the cross. Pray that we are connected to the source of life. Pray that the excess be taken away so we can bear fruit.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 