Pr. DFD : Easter 5 Series B

Saturday, April 27, 2024

Easter 5 Series B

Risen Lord – Bless Thy Word. That we might trust in Thee!

The thief from the cross offered a simple prayer: “Jesus remember me.”[2]

Today. Remember Jesus. When you are under emotional and mental anguish. Remember Jesus. When the weight of the entire world is pressing down on you. Remember Jesus.

When there seems to be no way of escape. Remember Jesus.

Remember Jesus. He did not run or flee the harsh realities of the cross. Remember Jesus. Who had his friends desert Him.

Remember Jesus. Who had a friend stab him in the back. With a smile and a kiss. Remember Jesus.

When others might deceive or betray you. Or use you. - For their own ends. When they bring you to tears. Remember Jesus. [3]

Remember Jesus. Who has been there for you. Who is always with you.

He will never forsake you.

He is with you. Even in your hurt. To vindicate all - who take their refuge in Him.

Today. Remember Jesus. Because He - remembers you.

But how does Jesus remember you? He remembers by abiding. In fact, this word, “abide,” is spoken eight times by our risen Savior this day.

Abiding doesn’t mean taking it easy. It’s more than resting in Jesus. Only to have your best life now. When the Savior says, “Abide in Me,” He’s saying, “Remain in Me.” “Continue in Me.” “Live in Me.”

Jesus explains quite clearly. The Father is the Vinedresser. Jesus is the Vine. And you? You are the branches. And branches will always produce fruit.

Bearing fruit always flows from abiding. The Vine provides for the branches. And the branches produce the fruit. Jesus reminds us, “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good.” (Matthew 12:33) A good tree makes good fruit.

Bearing fruit always flows from abiding. The branch receives from the Vine. As it abides in the Vine. And from that abiding. From that receiving. The fruit naturally follows. That is not a command. It is simply how it works. Bearing fruit always flows from abiding.

This is not an indictment. Or a “to-do” list. Or a production quota. Which needs to be met. It is a picture of life. A receptive life. A fruitful life. A God-pleasing life. It is life in Jesus.

Bearing fruit is what branches do. Bearing fruit is not optional. Branches abide in the Vine. And bearing fruit always flows from abiding.

Bearing fruit is what branches do. Branches bear fruit. Jesus says, “Every branch of Mine that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” (V.2) Bearing fruit is what branches do. They do not bear fruit by themselves.

But they do bear fruit. In fact. They bear much fruit. Bearing fruit is what branches do.

It is the fruit of the Spirit. Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control.

Branches bear fruit. And when branches bear fruit. The Father is glorified. And you prove to be Jesus’ disciple. This is who you are. This is what you do. Bearing fruit is what branches do.

Bearing fruit is not optional. When a branch does not bear fruit. The Vinedresser takes it away. It is thrown away. It withers. It is gathered. Thrown into the fire. And burned. Bearing fruit is not optional.

Bearing fruit is what branches do. Bearing fruit is not optional. Even when a branch does bear fruit. The Vinedresser prunes it. He tends to it. He gives it His careful attention. So it will bear even more fruit.

That does not mean the fruit is always perfect. It also does not mean producing new fruit every single day. Season after season. Like factories. That run in three shifts. 24/7. Jesus does not require a quota. And He is not comparing the fruit of one branch to the fruit of another.

But bearing fruit is not optional. A branch bears fruit as it is pruned. Or it does not. And it is burned.

Bearing fruit is what branches do. Bearing fruit is not optional. Branches abide in the Vine. Jesus is the Vine. The true Vine. And you are the branches. Branches abide in the Vine.

To abide is to stay connected. To abide is to be nurtured. To abide is to receive. Moment by moment. To receive everything. To receive life itself. Branches abide in the Vine.

Jesus says, “Abide in Me, and I in you. 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. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.”

Branches abide in the Vine. You are connected. Nurtured. And receive life itself from Jesus. The true Vine. He is with you. He nurtures you. He gives you all you need. Moment by moment. He gives you everything. He gives you life itself!

He gives His own life! Branches abide in the Vine. You abide in Jesus.[4]

Words- 900

Passive Sentences –5.5%

Readability – 85%

Reading Level –2.7

[2] Luke 23:42