Category: Bible (Page 25 of 355)

My vines are dying. In fact, all the plants in my garden beds are closing down for the winter. This week we received our first measurable snow of the season, accompanied by a string of below-freezing nights. The next few weeks I’ll cut back dead plants, rake leaves, and prepare the ground for the long cold to come. Life sinks back to the roots, leaving the outer stalks to wither and fall.

I’m not sure if Jesus ever tended a garden, but he had much to say about vines:

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

As a gardener the metaphor sinks in like water on thirsty sod. When my branches separate from the trunk of the plant, or in winter when the life source retreats, they wither and die. I can see the results in a few days—green and leafy one weekend, dead and drooping the next. Soon to be cut off and tossed away.

My life as a follower of Jesus only works when the sap of power and encouragement flows from him. I’m merely a vulnerable branch. Walking through garden beds at the edge of winter yields a snapshot of living apart. Dead and drooping or green and bursting with life, it all depends on whether I’m connected.

John 15 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Gabriel Meinert

So goes the title of a classic devotional book by William Law, an 18th century Anglican priest. Law challenges those of us who claim to follow Jesus not just to devout living, but to renewed commitment to serving Christ, reading the Scriptures, prayer, worship and service. It’s a heavy read, running counter to the breezy faith I’m often guilty of practicing.

Law takes his inspiration from Jesus, who explained this way of living to his disciples. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them…Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

As disciples of Jesus we’re called to keep his commands. So, what did he command?

We find multiple directives from the mouth of Jesus. A few immediately come to mind. Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. Honor God’s law. Follow me. Make disciples. Love your enemies.

One cannot remain flippant in the face of such injunctions. I can either ignore them, or attempt to act in accordance. If I shrug off the commands of Jesus I’ll probably be ok. God won’t strike me dead. But I’ll never know what I’ve missed.

By understanding and keeping his commands I open my life to the great promises of God—including the love of the Father and the active work of Jesus in my life.

John 14 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Motoki Tonn

A couple of weeks ago we replaced several decrepit windows and a patio door in our house. A well-trained and courteous crew did the work and the results look fantastic. I’m happy for new windows before the snow flies.

While the professionals installed the windows, I did the prep and follow-up. Before they arrived I took down curtains and window coverings, moved all the furniture away from the windows, cleared the deck, and moved into the basement for a few days. Afterwards I touched up paint, put the window coverings back up (including several sets of new curtains), and reset all the furniture. It takes a lot of work to prepare a place for living.

Jesus prepared his disciples for the storm that would soon engulf them. Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.

Thomas, my favorite disciple because I share his doubting nature, then asked, Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way? Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Our Father’s house is filled with rooms freshly prepared. New windows, breezy curtains, pristine furniture, all waiting for me and you. No prep work required—Jesus took care of all that. But there’s only one gate allowing entry to his mansion.

Jesus is the opportunity, the only way, the one true path for our souls. The Father’s rooms will be unlike any we imagine, and their access is clearly marked. We just have to move in the direction pointed out by Jesus.

John 14 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Leohoho

David prayed, Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

We’ve all prayed a similar prayer. In our distress we seek answers and comfort. Indeed, we should go to the power behind the universe, and God encourages us to carry our needs to him. But as often as we pray like David, we may also feel like no one answers.

David displayed his confidence even as he stewed. You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.

Remembering God’s past responses, David returned to the Lord. He knew his heart was not always right, and he often prayed with selfish motives. But despite his sometimes blatant sins, or maybe because of them, David humbly chased after God.

God answered in response. We don’t know in this case how God answered, if the answer came quickly or slowly, or if the answer was to David’s liking. Maybe the answer was silence? But David took comfort from his relationship with the Lord. His confidence in the one to whom he prayed radiates from the page.

I also have a convoluted relationship with the Lord. But I offer up my distresses and frustrations, trusting in his abounding love to those who call on him. Then I wait for an answer, in whatever form and timing it may appear.

Psalm 86 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Annie Spratt