May 10, 2009

FIFTH SUNDAY IN EASTER

I got in a fight this week.

I got in a fight this week and I lost. It wasn’t a long fight by most standards. In the five minutes of sun that we had between rain showers and thunderstorms this week, I decided to liberate my backyard from the ivy that has encroached upon and spread throughout the yard.

The ivy won.

You see, the thing about this vine is that what looks simple really isn’t. The vine twists and turns, it wraps around its own branches and it holds and clings to every shoot and sprout.

It is difficult to find the root because the root is everywhere; on the ground, climbing the fence, assailing the trees. It is ubiquitous. It is strong and impervious to the lawn mower. You reach for the source only to find that the vine is much longer than you thought, and a gentle tug becomes a full scale adventure to find the end.

Jesus said “I am the vine and you are the branches.” (John 15:5)

You may have been in a similar situation where the vine holds to the branches, it clings, and holds, turns and wraps so that the vine and the branches become inseparable.

Jesus said “I am the vine and you are the branches.” I am the one who holds you and hugs you. I am the one who is strong. I am the one rooted firmly and the one firmly suited for you.

Jesus said “I am the vine and you are the branches.” Then comes an invitation, an opportunity, an offer.

“Abide in me as I abide in you.” We don’t use that word abide very much; it is an old-fashioned word. But the sense of the word is to live with, to journey alongside, to share with, to be there, to hang out and to hang in when you are needed.

The key to the passage is in Verse 4. “Abide in me as I abide in you.” As I abide in you.

Does it say “abide in me so that I abide in you?”

Does it say “abide in me and then I will abide in you?”

Does it say “abide in me and maybe I will abide in you?”

Does it say “you go first and then I’ll get around to you?”

It says “abide in me as I abide to you. Hold on to me just like I hold on to you.

Live with me just as I live with you.

Wrap yourself around me because I am wrapped up in you, entwined in your life.

The word abide is used numerous times throughout the book of John. “The word became flesh and abided with us.” Jesus abided with the Samaritan woman for three days.

The disciples ask Jesus in the beginning of the Gospel where he lives and abides and he invites them to be a part of his family by saying “come and see.”

In each of these verses there is an invitation. Throughout the Gospel Jesus invites us to journey, hang out with, abide with on the road that is life. This is not a matter of earning salvation. It is clear that the concern of Jesus is that we experience the joys and security of a real and present relationship.

I saw Willie’s grandson practicing his bicycle with training wheels. He started off on his ride, knowing that there were arms waiting to catch him if he faltered. Someone who loved him was saying to him “go on, you can do it, and I’ll catch you if you fall.”

As a church and as people, we are sometimes fearful that we are going to fail. But ahead of us, with loving arms outstretched is our Lord. He will wrap his arms around us if we falter, he will cling to us, strong, impervious, holding us close in his love.

Amen.




		FIFTH SUNDAY IN EASTER I got in a fight this week. I got in a fight this week and I lost. It wasn’t a long fight by most standards. In the five minutes of sun that we had between rain showers and thunderstorms this week, I decided to liberate my backyard from the ivy that has encroached upon and spread throughout the yard. The ivy won. You see, the thing about this vine is that what looks simple really isn’t. The vine twists and turns, it wraps around its own branches and it holds and clings to every shoot and sprout. It is difficult to find the root because the root is everywhere; on the ground, climbing the fence, assailing the trees. It is ubiquitous. It is strong and impervious to the lawn mower. You reach for the source only to find that the vine is much longer than you thought, and a gentle tug becomes a full scale adventure to find the end. Jesus said “I am the vine and you are the branches.” (John 15:5) You may have been in a similar situation where the vine holds to the branches, it clings, and holds, turns and wraps so that the vine and the branches become inseparable. Jesus said “I am the vine and you are the branches.” I am the one who holds you and hugs you. I am the one who is strong. I am the one rooted firmly and the one firmly suited for you. Jesus said “I am the vine and you are the branches.” Then comes an invitation, an opportunity, an offer. “Abide in me as I abide in you.” We don’t use that word abide very much; it is an old-fashioned word. But the sense of the word is to live with, to journey alongside, to share with, to be there, to hang out and to hang in when you are needed. The key to the passage is in Verse 4. “Abide in me as I abide in you.” As I abide in you. Does it say “abide in me so that I abide in you?” Does it say “abide in me and then I will abide in you?” Does it say “abide in me and maybe I will abide in you?” Does it say “you go first and then I’ll get around to you?” It says “abide in me as I abide to you. Hold on to me just like I hold on to you. Live with me just as I live with you. Wrap yourself around me because I am wrapped up in you, entwined in your life. The word abide is used numerous times throughout the book of John. “The word became flesh and abided with us.” Jesus abided with the Samaritan woman for three days. The disciples ask Jesus in the beginning of the Gospel where he lives and abides and he invites them to be a part of his family by saying “come and see.” In each of these verses there is an invitation. Throughout the Gospel Jesus invites us to journey, hang out with, abide with on the road that is life. This is not a matter of earning salvation. It is clear that the concern of Jesus is that we experience the joys and security of a real and present relationship. I saw Willie’s grandson practicing his bicycle with training wheels. He started off on his ride, knowing that there were arms waiting to catch him if he faltered. Someone who loved him was saying to him “go on, you can do it, and I’ll catch you if you fall.” As a church and as people, we are sometimes fearful that we are going to fail. But ahead of us, with loving arms outstretched is our Lord. He will wrap his arms around us if we falter, he will cling to us, strong, impervious, holding us close in his love. Amen.