Easter 5

There is the twig that lays on the ground under the tree. Is it alive or dead?

If it is not dead already it will soon be dead because it is no longer attached to the trunk. The life giving and sustaining sap cannot get to the twig when it is laying on the ground. Should we expect any apples from that twig? Of course not.

Jesus own words tell us about that twig and the fruit in John 15. His words say, “stay connected to the trunk.” Or Jesus uses the image of the vine and the branches. “Stay connected to the vine.”

Jesus is even gracious enough to tell us how: “If you abide in me and my words abide in you.” That’s it! Stay in Jesus’ word. Which word? His resurrected Word. His forgiveness is for you word.

These Seeds of Faith have been sown by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bridgeport, Nebraska. I’m Pastor Allen Strawn