Morning Devotion for Epiphany
February 18, 2022
Feast Day of Martin Luther
The Invitatory
The Lord has shown forth his glory: Come let us adore him.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.
Reading: John 15:1-11
‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just 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. 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 and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
Meditation: Jo Ann B. Jones
It is a common occurrence that when the aged head of a family nears death, he or she is very like to take the person aside who is most likely to consider and care for the most vulnerable, needy or neglected member or members of the family for a good talk. This is something akin to making a testamentary provision for these family members. And the selected person must promise to accept this responsibility. After this conversation, often the aged head of family feels a sense of peace allowing him or her to relinquish a hold on life and face death.
Jesus has a similar concern as he sits with his disciples on this eve of his death by crucifixion. He has an even greater concern for the future of his teachings and for his disciples. He has noted over the course of his ministry the opposition that has arisen and the hostility to others that is the consequence of identity; based on religion (Pharisees and Sadducees); class, rich and poor; gender, pointedly towards women; ethnicity - Samaritans; those with a disability - lepers, cripples and the blind; occupations, such as tax collectors. Even the covenant with God does not seem to provide the Jews with a cogent identity. How will the disciples proceed in the future after his death, Jesus wonders, on this last night with them. He, too, makes testamentary provision for the disciples and God’s people.
The mood in the Upper Room where Jesus and his disciples have gathered on the night before his crucifixion is tense. The disciples are unhappy and feel uncertain about the future. He uses this time to encourage, comfort and support them in the very near future and in their life without him. He employs the metaphor of the vine to introduce to them the new identity for God’s people. As Jesus speaks of his identity, whatever former Old Testament associations that attach to the vine, must be put aside.
Jesus is at the heart of the image of the vine. “I am the true vine,” while metaphorical in form, involves supporting symbols that are not metaphorical, but are embedded in the text. There are two levels in the structure of this image. The primary level is Christ, the secondary level concerns discipleship. “I am the vine, you are the branches.”
By calling on the vine, this community can associate itself with a well-known symbol. The image, already having strong roots in Judaism, is now expanded and made universal. The new image makes it possible to imagine a broader range of associations for discipleship. The use of this image of the vine also conveys the significance of the love commandment and relates it to the ideal of friendship that arises from a relationship in Jesus. The disciples, like the branches of the vine, have the source and example for their lives in Jesus. Thus, he gives them a new identity that seeks to unify, not divide.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
