圣经中有好几处经文都指出神的子民以色列是神栽种的葡萄树。大意是，在耶稣来之前，神为祂的选民预备了一个家，让他们在与神的关系中健康茁壮地成长。
尽管神为祂的百姓做了这一切，他们还是失败了。一次又一次，他们在自己的罪中远离了神。他们拜别国的假神。他们偏离了神给他们的道路。
现在，耶稣正在转换有关葡萄树的比喻。祂说，最终，祂成为真正的葡萄树，给人们机会在与神的关系中得以成长，这正是神一直以来所期望的。
实际上，教会已经明白，这是需要通过属灵操练来实现的，如阅读和研习圣经，花时间祷告，敬拜，认罪和参加团契。这些事并不是要在神面前获得积分，或试图弥补我们的罪。相反，这是为了与枝子连接，好使我们茁壮成长。
每当我们靠近耶稣，我们就会得到支持，滋养，就能透过与祂的关系结出果子。
主耶稣，求你帮助我常在你里面。帮助我每天花时间和专注在你身上，好使我牢固地连接于你。阿们。
约翰福音 15:1-17
1“我是真葡萄树，我父是栽培的人。
2凡属我不结果子的枝子，他就剪去；凡结果子的，他就修理干净，使枝子结果子更多。
3现在你们因我讲给你们的道，已经干净了。
4你们要常在我里面，我也常在你们里面。枝子若不常在葡萄树上，自己就不能结果子；你们若不常在我里面，也是这样。
5我是葡萄树，你们是枝子。常在我里面的，我也常在他里面，这人就多结果子；因为离了我，你们就不能做什么。
6人若不常在我里面，就像枝子丢在外面枯干，人拾起来扔在火里烧了。
7你们若常在我里面，我的话也常在你们里面，凡你们所愿意的，祈求，就给你们成就。
8你们多结果子，我父就因此得荣耀，你们也就是我的门徒了。
9“我爱你们，正如父爱我一样，你们要常在我的爱里。
10你们若遵守我的命令，就常在我的爱里，正如我遵守了我父的命令，常在他的爱里。
11这些事我已经对你们说了，是要叫我的喜乐存在你们心里，并叫你们的喜乐可以满足。
12你们要彼此相爱，像我爱你们一样，这就是我的命令。
13人为朋友舍命，人的爱心没有比这个大的。
14你们若遵行我所吩咐的，就是我的朋友了。
15以后我不再称你们为仆人，因仆人不知道主人所做的事。我乃称你们为朋友，因我从父所听见的，已经都告诉你们了。
16不是你们拣选了我，是我拣选了你们，并且分派你们去结果子，叫你们的果子常存，使你们奉我的名无论向父求什么，他就赐给你们。
17我这样吩咐你们，是要叫你们彼此相爱。
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5
Several passages in the Bible refer to God's people Israel as a vine planted by God. The idea is that, before Jesus came, God took this group of chosen people and made a home for them where they could grow healthy and prosperous in a relationship with him.
But despite all that God did for his people, they failed to thrive. Time after time, they wandered away from God in their sin. They worshiped the gods of other nations. They strayed from the path that God had placed them on.
Now Jesus is switching up the imagery about the vine. He says that, ultimately, he has come as the true vine to give people the opportunity to grow in a relationship with God, the way God always intended.
Practically speaking, the church has understood that this happens through spiritual disciplines, such as reading and studying Scripture and spending time in prayer, worship, confession, and fellowship with community. And these things aren't about scoring points with God or trying to make up for our sin. Instead, they are about staying connected to the vine so that we can thrive.
When we draw near to Jesus, we are supported, nourished, and able to bear fruit in our relationship with him.
Lord Jesus, help me to remain in you. Help me to give you time and attention each day so that I can be firmly connected in relationship with you. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
