Word

John 15:1-11
Jesus the True Vine
 
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015%3A1-11&version=NRSVUE
 
The word “word” in Christian circles can mean different things. Many think of “word” as God’s word, or the Bible, because they believe the Bible is the “inerrant word of God.” Even those who believe the Bible is inspired by God, refer to it as God’s word. John 1:1 says that Jesus is the Word: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The next verse, “He was in the beginning with God,” uses the personal pronoun “he” to infer that the Word is Jesus. We see a difference with the use of “word” here with the uppercase W versus the lowercase w. John 1 refers to a person, but John 15 refers to a word spoken by Jesus. The Word speaks words that cleanse and connect us.
 
Often when we think of the Bible as the “word,” we think of it as a conversation that God had in the past. We somehow try to apply these conversations between God and the Jews to us in our current context. We apply the conversations between Jesus and his disciples to our lives because we are disciples or followers as Christians. These practices are not inherently bad and can be helpful to learn spiritual truths because the Bible is considered to be holy scripture. However, if we do not take into consideration the historical context of their conversations, then we have a tendency to interpret the “word” to be self-serving.
 
What I have found to be life-transforming is the practice of lectio divina that invites us to an on-going conversation with God. Jesus’ words in scripture were spoken in the past, but if we open ourselves prayerfully to truly listen and reflect when reading scripture, Jesus speaks these words in a new way. The Spirit draws our attention to a word, phrase, or image that speaks to us in the present moment. The words Jesus said to the disciples in verse 3: “You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you,” no doubt spoke to the disciples in their present moment. They knew exactly which word Jesus spoke to them that cleansed and formed them.
 
The whole chapter of John 15 is about Jesus expressing the vital importance of staying connected to him. When he leaves his disciples physically, it will be imperative for them to stay connected to him spiritually. In fact, “apart from me,” Jesus said, “[they] can do nothing” (v.5). Staying connected to Jesus, abiding in him, is what will give them the nourishment to grow. If they do not abide in Jesus, they will wither and die.
 
However, there are two parts to verse 7 that help us understand how to stay connected to Jesus. He said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you…” It’s important for us to stay connected to Jesus, but it’s also important for his words to remain in our hearts. The words that Jesus continues to speak to us through our ongoing conversations with him are the words that cleanse us of our self-seeking tendencies and connect us to our life source, the Vine. We stay connected to Jesus by allowing his words to live in our hearts.     
 
Reflection Questions:
What is the word that Jesus has spoken to you that has kept you connected to him? 
What words of his remain or live in your heart? 
How do you stay connected to Jesus?
 
Pray:
Pray for Jesus to speak the words that will abide in you throughout your life.
 
Action:
Try a new spiritual practice that invites you to connect with Jesus in a new way.

*New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.