Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
WEDNESDAY, February 24 Saint Matthias Ember Day
John 15:1, 6-16. If you abide in me...you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
Jesus' teaching was effective because he used everyday examples from the lives of people. Even to this day many of the hills of
This image of Jesus as the true vine was a vivid teaching for the people of his time. They knew full well what happened to branches that were separated from the vine. They did not bear fruit. They withered and died and were thrown into the fire and burnt.
This is the important teaching of this passage. The branches simply cannot bear fruit if they are separated from the vine. Jesus is the vine and the disciples are the branches. Their ministry cannot be effective, cannot bear fruit, cannot even exist unless they are connected to the source and power of their ministry, Jesus Christ. There can only be an effective fruit-bearing ministry for the disciples and for us if it is grounded in Christ: only if we dwell in him as he dwells in us. Our ministry can only exist in this living union with Christ. (1981)
PRAY for the Diocese of
Ps 15; Acts 1:15-16; Philippians 3:13-21
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
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What a great image to put in peoples minds the vines and those who have become separated. Thank you for the image!