The Wicket Gate

Monday, July 22, 2024

Scripture:

John 15: 1-17

Questions to Consider:

1. Why do you think Jacob had to wrestle with God to understand his true identity?
2. How does God use our struggles to reveal His purpose and strength in our lives?

Reflection:

I want to begin this Monday morning where we left off on Sunday morning. As we unpack the passage from this week a little further I want to continue to return to the theme of dependence on God. The wrestling with God was principally about demonstrating our dependence on God and our need to be fully connected with him. When we make a go of it alone or apart from God, we will fail and only find frustration but when we depend on him and are connected to him then we succeed and see fruit.

This is what Christ teaches us in the supporting text we read this morning. First we hear the positive.

5 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.

There is one thing and one thing only then that enables us to bear fruit in our lives. This is a connection to the vine, abiding in Christ. Our struggles are for the purpose of showing us this reality and also for keeping us ever dependent on our connection to the vine. There is a saying that I am probably butchering but it goes something like this, “If you love something set it free and if it returns to you it is yours.” It seems that our culture also teaches that true parental love is letting your kids go and watching them go out and make it on their own.

I contend that scripture teaches the opposite. The joy and beauty of Christianity is that our God doesn’t let us go and see if we return nor does he expect us to make it on our own. He never lets us go, never leaves us and keeps us struggling with him so that we always depend on him and abide in him. I am not saying that this biblical principle means that we should let our kids live with us forever so they stay dependent on us but I am saying that the biblical model is that if you love something, you never let it go. You fight for it and with it so that there is an unfailing connection.

This is essential because the negative is also true.

6 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.

Let it be our prayer that we thank God that he fights for us and never lets us go and that he loves us so much that nothing will ever separate us from his love. May we thank God for keeping us connected to him and may we serve him faithfully on account of his great mercy.

Prayer:

Thank you Lord for keeping us connected to the vine and struggling with us that we may rely on you. I confess all the times in my life when I have thought I knew better and ask that you continually remind me of how much I need you. In the name of Jesus, Amen.