John 15:9-17 continues the gospel lesson from last week, the final discourse from John where Jesus teaches the disciples about the vines and branches. How we are all interconnected…
We are all branches and leaves interconnected to the vine. We get cut off and thrown away, or pruned back so we produce more fruit. And because we are connected to Jesus, the vine, we are suppose to love others.
But the point I caught today is something we all know is true and know for a fact. We as Lutherans like to point it out all the time, we can do nothing to obtain the grace we have been given. Jesus chose us, we did not choose Him. He chose us to be a part of the branches and attached to the vine.
We have no choice on when we get in, or if. Jesus chose us and called us to be His children, His friend, and He wants us. And He chose us. And while we are a part of the vine, an important branch that produces fruit for the kingdom, we have no choice of the branches or leaves next to us. Jesus chooses who He wants, and we have no say in that. We are called to love everyone…
Reminded me of a story I have heard many times:
I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven’s door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp–
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money! Twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.Jerry, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.I nudged Jesus, ‘What’s the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How’d all these sinners get up here?
God must’ve made a mistake!‘And why’s everyone so quiet,
So somber? – Please give me a clue.’
‘Hush, child,’ He said, ‘it’s because
they’re all in shock.
No one thought they’d be seeing you.’
So love as Jesus loved you and chose you to be a part of the fruit producing kingdom even when you did not deserve it, and don’t judge who Jesus chooses because they are probably ready to judge you!
aSacredRebel 