Coffee With The Lord

Here it is… I read it this morning during “Coffee with the Lord in my Bible.  Decided to find some pics on Google to illustrate it.  Have a feeling I’ll be reflecting on the significance of it in my life all day long…

Jesus said it… “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit… Abide in me, and I in you. 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. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.  If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples… You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.  (from John 15:1–17 ESV)

The basics… Some preliminary observations…

Jesus is the “vine” – the source of our life and fruitfulness!

To be “fruitful” in my life as a Christian I must “abide in Him!” – that’s the secret of “fruitfulness” … without Him I can do nothing!!

The Heavenly Father is the “vinedresser” – He will do whatever he needs to do in my life to make me “fruitful” (even MORE fruitful)!

The second secret of fruitfulness – responding positively to the “vinedresser” – my Heavenly father’s “pruning”

The Father is glorified when I “bear MUCH fruit”!  That is why he “chose” me… that I would “bear fruit”… “MUCH fruit”!

And finally, this morning… to not “bear fruit” has sad consequnces (verse 6)!  To “abide in the vine” and “bear fruit” has wonderful results (verse 7 and 16)!

A wonderful, rich analogy!!  Yes, I’m going to be reflecting on it all day!

I am not from a faith tradition that puts much stock in human “priests”… I’m of the faith tradition of the “Reformers” who look to Jesus as their “Great High Priest” and celebrate “the priesthood of all believers” (1 Peter 2:4-5)…

This morning in my Bible reading during my time of “coffee with the Lord” however, I came away with the feeling that perhaps I miss the “punch” a passage of Scripture had for Jewish Christians of the 1^st century and perhaps the impact the passage I’m referring to has for faith traditions that retain the term “priests” for human clergy.  Yes… I’m admitting I probably miss something because of my theological orientation…

Priests Biblically and practically down through the ages have fulfilled the following functions:  They serve as “official” human intermediaries between God and humanity, they provide sacrificial services (whether liturgical or actual), they offer help gaining forgiveness of sin, and they serve the important role of “intercession” (not simply “prayer” but appeal on behalf of another to God).  But the role of human priests, at best, is incomplete and limited!  Imagine that now as you read the following from this passage written to 1^st century Jewish Christians…

“For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.  He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.  Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.  And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God…  So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by Him who said to Him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’… In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.  Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.  And being made perfect, HE BECAME THE SOURCE OF ETERNAL SALVATION TO ALL WHO OBEY HIM!” (Hebrews 5:1–9 ESV)

So I wrote this reflection in the margin of my Bible today… I am not limited to what a human priest can try to do!  He [the Lord Jesus Christ] is the One who can help me!  He came down from heaven – from God the Father!  He was appointed by Him to serve on our behalf!  As fully human, he experienced everything we do – and overcame it all without sin!  He conquered death and returned to heaven and sits at the Father’s right hand as our intercessor!  Oh praise God – I am not limited to a human priest, beset by sin – I have a Great High Priest, Jesus-the Christ – who offered Himself on my behalf as the complete and adequate sacrifice for sin, and now intercedes on my behalf before Almighty God!