This week’s devotions are based on Week 1 of Building Together: “It Takes ALL of us” (WATCH HERE)
John 15:1–8 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “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. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
A building can have beautiful bricks, carefully designed walls, and impressive details, but none of it matters if there is no solid foundation. In the same way, the church can have ministries, programs, activities, gifted people, and a strong sense of community, but everything depends on one essential reality:
We must remain connected to Christ.
Jesus gives us a powerful picture in John 15. He describes Himself as the vine and His followers as the branches. A branch does not produce fruit by working harder or trying to become more fruitful on its own. It produces fruit because it remains connected to the vine.
Jesus says, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you” (John 15:4).
That is the foundation underneath everything we have talked about this week.
We guard unity because we belong to Christ.
We use our gifts because Christ has given them to us.
We build one another up because Christ is building His body through us.
Everything flows from Him.
Sometimes we can become so focused on doing things for Christ that we forget that the most important thing is simply remaining in Christ. We can become busy serving while becoming spiritually empty. We can work on the building while neglecting the foundation.
Jesus reminds us that “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Remaining in Christ means continuing to receive what He gives us. We return to His Word. We hear His promises. We remember our Baptism. We receive His forgiveness. We gather with His people around His Word and Sacrament. We stay connected to the One who gives us life.
And as we remain connected to Christ, something begins to grow.
Paul tells the Colossians to “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” and then says, “over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12, 14).
Notice how much this sounds like the kind of life Paul described earlier in Ephesians 4.
Humility.
Gentleness.
Patience.
Love.
Unity.
These aren’t simply behaviors we force ourselves to produce. They are the fruit that grows as Christ works in us.
And a Christian doesn’t become more Christlike simply by trying harder to look like Christ. We remain connected to Christ, and He works through us.
So as this week comes to an end, return to the simplest and most important question:
Am I remaining in Christ?
Because when we are rooted in Christ, we can be built together.
Reflect
- What are some things that can distract me from remaining connected to Christ? What could I do this week to make time for His Word, prayer, and the gifts He gives through worship and fellowship?
- Which quality from Colossians 3:12–14, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, or love does Christ most need to grow in me right now? Who might experience His love through me as that quality grows?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the true vine, and I am one of Your branches. Thank You for giving me life through Your grace and for connecting me to You through Your Word and Sacraments. Forgive me for the times I try to live and serve in my own strength. Keep me rooted in You. Grow in me compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love. Use the gifts You have given me to build up the people around me. Make our congregation a people who remain rooted in Christ and are willing to be built together for Your glory. Amen.