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On Sunday June 10 Baptist youth in every continent across the world joined hands and hearts in prayer, on Baptist World Alliance Youth Day of prayer. And in this posture we are declaring that we are ‘Living in Peace’ and are ‘Abiding in Christ Through Prayer’.
The word of the Lord comes to us from St. John 15:5-8…
[5] I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. [6] Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. [7] If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [8] My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. [NRSV]
Introduction
The text [St. John 15:5-8] captures the beautiful words of our Lord Jesus Christ who speaks so profoundly and boldly about how God’s people ought to live as one with him and with each other; it is a text that gives us Jesus’ view on the nature of God’s peace. As we carefully consider these insightful words of Jesus allow me to highlight these two[2] truths that shine from the text:
a. The foundation of God’s peace is Jesus the Christ
b. Jesus extends to his disciples the privilege of petition
The first of these two truths says that:
i. The foundation of God’s peace is Jesus the Christ
This truth is identified from the statements of definition and affirmation spoken by Jesus in both [v.1a & v.5a], ‘I am the true vine; … you are the branches’. In these statements Jesus defines himself as the ‘true vine’ and at the same time defines his disciples as the ‘branches’. With unquestionable authority Jesus defines himself in relation to us, ‘I am the true vine’ he says; and with the same unquestionable authority he tells us who we are in relation to him, ‘you are the branches’. Jesus affirms that as branches are connected to a vine so are his disciples connected to him, and through him are connected to each other. Jesus also hints to the reality of God’s peace that exists in this vine-branch connection where there is this natural, real and true peace existing among the branches and between the branches and the vine that by being together in harmony allows for what can be called a fruit bearing tree. When all is considered it seems that it is all about the vine: it is the vine that forms the foundation of this peaceful co-existence among the branches and between the branches and the vine itself; it is by being on the vine that branches fulfill the purpose of co-existing peacefully, that is, to become fruit bearing. Jesus is the true vine and hence, the true foundation of this peace, which is God’s peace, that allows Christ’s disciples to be fruit bearers.
There are two implications from this first truth that just cannot be ignored. Since the foundation of God’s peace is Jesus Christ then:
a. Common faith in Jesus Christ presupposes respect for human dignity: Jesus’ simple yet profound analogy makes this clear. Note that branches are not joined to themselves but each branch shares connection with the other only through the common vine. What this means is that each person who professes faith in Jesus Christ has no other choice but to acknowledge the divine vine, which is their Lord Jesus, who connects him or her to every other disciple abiding on the same vine who is the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, as Jesus’ disciples our common faith in him should always engender respect for the dignity of each other regardless of creed, class, age, or race. Because of common faith in Jesus Christ each denomination, each communion, should always convey respect for the dignity of the other regardless of how faith in the same Lord Jesus is expressed. No doubt, this mutual respect is a source of God’s peace within the body of Christ; no doubt, this mutual respect is a source of God’s peace among branches abiding on the true vine, Jesus the Christ. Our common faith in Jesus Christ always presupposes respect for the dignity of each other.
Since the foundation of God’s peace is Jesus Christ then another implication is that:
b. Involvement in God’s project of peace is crucial for disciples. Jesus’ analogy makes it clear that it is the vine that offers support to the branches; it is the vine through which the branches are nourished; it is the vine that allows branches to have their purpose fulfilled, that it, to bear fruits. Hear the words of Jesus [v.5b & v.6a], ‘Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch that withers…’ It is absolutely crucial for branches to be involved in the fruit bearing harmony that the vine supports; similarly, it is absolutely crucial for disciples to be involved in God’s activity of peace within the world. No disciple is exempt! Every disciple who abides in Christ and allows Christ to abide in him or her must bear fruits of peace. Every disciple has something to do in facilitating God’s peace within the world. So crucial is the disciple’s involvement that it seems to not participate will cause a disciple to forfeit their place on the vine. In the words of Jesus [v.6b], ‘…such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned’. As Christ’s disciples we all have a unique contribution to make in realizing peace around us; our involvement is crucial.
i. The foundation of God’s peace is Jesus the Christ which implies that:
a. Common faith in Jesus Christ presupposes respect for human dignity, and that
b. Involvement in God’s project of peace is crucial for disciples.
The text highlights a second truth for us to consider, which says that:
ii. Jesus extends to his disciples the privilege of petition
We note this from [v.7], which says, ‘If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you’. These are inspiring words from Jesus, words that are able to fill us with hope and peace knowing that it is our Lord, the great true vine, that says to his disciples ‘ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you’. Yet, in this moment of hope and peace we must ask, why? Why Lord? Why extend to us this privilege of petition? We listen to the text and we hear the answer grace, God’s grace. Branches have no innate right to be connected to the vine, branches of themselves cannot bear fruits, apart from the vine all branches wither and die. It is through grace, God’s grace why branches remain on the vine. As is true for the branches so is it true for disciples; disciples have no innate right to abide in Christ – [Isaiah 53:6] ‘We all, like sheep, have gone astray, we have all turned to our own way’. Yet Christ has chosen through grace to claim us, and to abide in us, though sinful we are. In our own power we are not able to abide in Christ and therefore to live in peace with God and with each other. So often the powers of this world have exposed our weakness and frailty; so often this world has influenced us to turn away from respecting the dignity of each other; so often in our weakness we have turned away from bearing fruits of peace. But thanks be to God, Jesus the great vine knew how weak and frail branches can be – how weak and frail his disciples can be and hence, through grace, extends to his disciples this privilege of petition. ‘If you abide in me, and my words abide in you’, Jesus says, ‘ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you’.
Note these fascinating implications of what Jesus says concerning this truth:
a. There is no limit to your petition; Jesus says [v.7b] ‘…ask whatever you wish…’ There is no limit to what disciples can ask for in relation to God’s peace. Whatever you need to remain rooted, grounded and connected to Jesus Christ the one true vine, ask for it; whatever you need to remain in peace with God and with your fellow brothers and sisters in the Christ, ask for it; whatever you need to remain committed to God’s work of peace around you, in your community, your country and the world, ask for it. Pour out the abundance of your heart to him, sing it out to him, cry it out to him, laugh it out to him. You may need many hours and many days to share all that you desire for the experience of God’s peace; take a life time, do not deny yourself the privilege of petition. Remember what Joseph Scriven says, ‘O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer’. Abide in Christ through prayer as the Baptist World Alliance Youth Day of Prayer theme states, for there is no limit to your petitions.
Another implication from this truth is that:
b. The power and providence of God are lavishly available to his disciples. In a world where scarcity of resources is experienced by all, this is good news for Christ’s disciples everywhere! Note that it is God who says to you, ‘…ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you’; it is your God who is faithful and true who will answer when you call. God is not a human being who makes false promises and empty speeches; God is faithful, God is kind, God is all-powerful and almighty. According to the apostle [Ephesians 3:20], ‘God is able to do for you far more than you could ever ask for or imagine’. God is all-sufficient and is ready to do what you say. Is there anything too hard for God? Is there anyone’s life, any troubling situation, any dark space or place where God’s peace cannot be realized? Is the project of peace too hard for God? The reality of peace is possible because it is God who works to make it possible; living in peace by respecting each other’s dignity is possible because it is God who makes us one in him; bearing fruits of peace is possible because it is God who enables us to be fruitful and productive as his disciples. God’s power and providence are lavishly available to us for the purpose of God’s peace.
In closing, let us not forget that…
i. The foundation of God’s peace is Jesus the Christ which implies that:
a. Common faith in Jesus Christ presupposes respect for human dignity, and that
b. Involvement in God’s project of peace is crucial for all disciples.
Let us take courage in acknowledging that…
ii. Jesus extends to his disciples the privilege of petition which implies that:
a. There is no limit to your petitions, and that
b. The power and providence of God are lavishly available to you, his disciples.
AMEN.
Let us pray:
Ever gracious God, you are the God of peace, as you are kind. Nurture your church throughout the world as you hold us close to your Son Jesus Christ just like a vine that embraces its branches. May your people be steadfast in their devotion to Christ and seek always to approach you in prayer. Where your church is divided and respect among your disciples is lacking mediate your peace; where your people experience distress, danger, and threats for your work of peace, grant them courage; where war, persecution and hatred have caused the death of your servants, may they find your eternal peace. O most holy God, may your kingdom come and your will be done, in our hearts, in our homes, our communities and in this world; for yours is the kingdom the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Christ For Today - June 10 2012 - Rev. Dayne Grant)
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God’s Peaceful Vine