Di-Vine
Vines and their branches draw some of their life sap from other living sources. While a towering oak has both the strength and stature to support many vines, the seasons of it’s guests are as limited as that of the host. A harbinger of sweet and tart fruits, the grape-vine draws nutrition directly from nature but still needs a strong supporting hand to hold it’s precious fruits above the ravages of life from the earth below. The fruits of some other vines are poisonous, while others still seem hearty, healthy and thick skinned. All fruits of earthly vines, prosper from and inevitably fall victim to the many seasons and stresses of earthly life.
The “DiVine” Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches …” (John 15:5). What might He have been thinking or what kind of living reminder was He planting for the next few thousand years? Each bible reader, with the support of the Holy Spirit, will see or hear these words and absorb their impact differently. The thoughts that follow reflect the inspiration garnered from those words by this writer.
The “Tree of Life” is in the paradise of God (Rev 2:7). Our “Di-Vine” is inseparable from this wondrous eternal tree. As we are incapable judges of good and evil, our good works or fruits can only come through the Lord. In John 15:5, Jesus went on to say, “If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing“. Jesus started this thought by speaking broadly of mankind and concluded His sentence speaking specifically to “you“, the reader. We are the branches that produce the fruit, but if our fruit is to be any good, it must grow through our Di-Vine. We must live in Him and He in us. He is also the bond to the tree of life for branches that remain in Him (John 15:6).
One 2.5 minute take-away: We have been invited to live in Jesus to gain spiritual insight (goodness and wisdom) and He, through the Holy Spirit can help us, sharing our earthly experience, while guiding, mentoring and assisting us in “overcoming” the same physical and emotional obstacles that he overcame. Unlike most of us, Jesus wasn’t limited by spiritual doubts or weakness, hence His time of earthly existence was perfect. For “branches” of humanity, there’s much to be learned and even more to be gained from this Di-VINE-ly sweet offer of live-in assistance.
JC CALKINS with COMMON SENSE 4 UNCOMMON PEOPLE
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