Several times over the past few weeks, I have opened my Bible and found myself in John 15. This chapter begins with Jesus telling the disciples, “I am the vine; you are the branches.” Without connection to the vine, we can do nothing. Jesus is the true vine.
Often, when we’re given a specific scripture to read, we focus only on that verse. However, I love to read the entire chapter or the surrounding passages for deeper context. In this case, I kept reading.
Jesus shares His command to love one another as He has loved us, and He calls the disciples His friends. Then I reached three little words that made me pause and go WOW.
John 15:16 says, “You did not choose me, but I CHOSE YOU.”
The disciples didn’t choose Jesus; He chose them. He called ordinary men—fishermen, a tax collector, a political activist, and others whose backgrounds we don’t fully know. They were simply regular people making a living the best they could.
Jesus taught them everything He had learned from God. He chose and appointed them to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.
Why will their fruit last? Because He chose them, and they are connected to the vine. That’s truly awe-inspiring.
In our recent Tuesday Bible study, “A Jesus-Shaped Life” by Lisa Harper—a fabulous and deeply theological study—Lisa explores the concept of God’s image in session 5. She discusses how we are all loved by God, created in His image, and that God’s thumbprint is on everyone He creates.
We are all God’s favorite—did you catch that? He sees and meets each of us where we are because He chose us.
The other side of this truth is that we must choose Him in return. There is no doubt that He chooses us, but it’s up to us to follow and align our lives with Him.
Remember: He is the vine, we are the branches. Stay connected to Him, and you will bear much fruit.
- Show up for JESUS every day – Start your day in the Word.
- Show up for OTHERS – Serve others, whether or not they are like you, whether or not they annoy you, or are difficult to understand. That is what Jesus did; He showed up for everyone.
3. Show up for YOU – Fill your cup before you help fill others’ cups.
WE WILL FIND JOY WHEN WE SHOW UP FOR JESUS, OTHERS, AND OURSELVES.
As Father Mike says, “You pray for me, and I will pray for you.”
As Tara Leigh says: He’s where the joy is.
Have a great week, Cupcake loves you and so does Jesus.
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