A story about being attached to Jesus
(From the Gospel of John, chapter 15, verses 1-8)
On the night before Jesus died, he had supper with his friends. He told them, "Little children, I am with you only a little longer." Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, but you will follow me afterward."
Jesus knew that after his death, he would go to live with God in heaven forever and ever. And he knew that someday after his disciples died, they too would live with God in heaven forever and ever.
The disciples began to imagine what it would be like not having Jesus with them every day. They began to worry. They had lots of questions. Who was Jesus exactly? How were he and God connected? How could their lives have any meaning without him?
Jesus tried to make them feel better. He said, "God and I are connected like a farmer and a grape vine are connected. The farmer takes branches off the vine that aren't growing grapes. God has been carefully taking care of me so that I will be fruitful, too."
Jesus continued, "Over the course of our time together, you and I have become attached to each other, too. We are connected like a vine and its branches are connected. I am the vine. You are the branches. And God is the vine grower. Stay attached to me in prayer and service to others and your lives will be full and fruitful! Just imagine what you will be able to do if you stay connected to me!"
Jesus told his friends, "Everyone will come to know God's amazing power when you and I work together in love."
Questions to think and pray about:
I wonder if you have ever seen a grape vine.
Did you know that if you cut a vine, new growth will happen?
I wonder how well you and Jesus are connected now.
I wonder how Jesus helps you show God's amazing love and power.