Staying Connected to the Vine - Note from Pastor Doug, May 2025
- Pastor Doug
- May 1
- 1 min read
In today's world of technology, staying connected with people seems to be getting easier and easier. We can send a text message to someone halfway around the world almost instantaneously these days. With cell phones we can stay connected whether we're in the car, grocery store, backyard or the mountains as long as we have a good connection.
In John15:5 Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
In John’s gospel Jesus uses the image of the grape vine to illustrate his connectedness to us. He is the vine, and we are the branches. In our baptism we are connected to Christ and his life saving work. Jesus could have accomplished all his work without the disciples. However, he chose the disciples to partner with him. God doesn’t need us either. He could have accomplished all He wills from the throne of heaven. But He wants us with Him. He longs for a relationship with us. He came to be “Emmanuel,” God with us.
Being a branch to the true Vine means living with Christ. It's the ongoing awareness of his presence. Just as a branch gets its nourishment and life from the vine, we as believers receive our spiritual life and strength from our connection to Jesus Christ. Remember, staying connected is important in our relationships with the people closest to us and it is essential in our relationship with God.
In His Grip,
Pastor Doug
Senior Pastor