Key Thought

Jesus' statement is radical. The vine was a symbol of Israel. Jesus is saying that he is the place God's people will find their life. When people are in Christ, they will find themselves tended and cared for by God himself. This concept is both radical and comforting. Jesus reminds us that God cares for the sparrows, so he surely cares for us. The Father knows the number of hairs on our head. He knows what we need before we ask for it. God is not a God far off, but a God up close and personal. He knows us and will be involved in every aspect of our lives.

Today's Prayer

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Holy God, LORD Almighty, I am humbled and awed that in your incredible majesty you have also chosen to know me personally. Thank you for working in my life. Conform me to your will. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

{Jesus said,} "I am the true vine; my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that does not make fruit. And he trims and cleans every branch that makes fruit, so that it will make even more fruit. You are already clean because of the teaching I have told you. Continue in me and I will continue in you. No branch can make fruit alone. It must continue in the vine. It is the same with you. You cannot make fruit alone. You must continue in me. "I am the vine and you are the branches. If a person continues in me and I continue in that person, then that person will make much fruit. But without me that person can do nothing. If a person does not continue in me, then he is like a branch that is thrown away. That branch dies. People pick up dead branches, throw them into the fire, and burn them. "Continue in me and follow my teachings. If you do this, then you can ask for anything you want, and it will be given to you. You should make much fruit and show that you are my followers. This brings glory to my Father. I loved you like the Father loved me. Now continue in my love. I have obeyed my Father's commands, and I continue in his love. In the same way, if you obey my commands, you will continue in my love. I have told you these things so that you can have the true happiness that I have. I want you to be completely happy. This is what I command you: Love each other like I have loved you. The greatest love a person can show is to die for his friends. You are my friends if you do the things I tell you to do. I don't call you servants now. A servant does not know what his master is doing. But now I call you friends because I have told you everything I heard from my Father. You did not choose me; I chose you. And I gave you this work: to go and make fruit. I want this fruit to continue {in your life}. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name. This is my command: Love each other.

— John 15:1-17 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.