The Crucified Vine
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
John 15:1-4
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The Crucified Vine
Jesus calls Himself the true Vine. Life comes only through abiding in Him, for apart from Christ we are as fruitless branches, lifeless and brittle. This abiding is not our achievement but His gift. The Father grafted us into His Son through the Word and Holy Baptism, joining us to the One who bore our sin on the tree of the cross. Pruning can hurt. The Father cuts away what chokes faith, our pride, self-reliance, and the illusion that we can produce anything by our own strength. Yet He prunes in love, shaping us to bear fruit that flows from Christ’s life, not our own effort. To abide in Jesus is to cling to the Crucified and Risen One whose wounds give life. In Him alone, we remain, grow, and bear fruit that endures.
John 15:1-4
+
The Crucified Vine
Jesus calls Himself the true Vine. Life comes only through abiding in Him, for apart from Christ we are as fruitless branches, lifeless and brittle. This abiding is not our achievement but His gift. The Father grafted us into His Son through the Word and Holy Baptism, joining us to the One who bore our sin on the tree of the cross. Pruning can hurt. The Father cuts away what chokes faith, our pride, self-reliance, and the illusion that we can produce anything by our own strength. Yet He prunes in love, shaping us to bear fruit that flows from Christ’s life, not our own effort. To abide in Jesus is to cling to the Crucified and Risen One whose wounds give life. In Him alone, we remain, grow, and bear fruit that endures.
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Not AshamedIn Every RespectWe Are In His HouseHear His VoiceTodayBut You BelieveRest in ChristRest in FaithRest in Christ’s WordConfidence in Our Great High PriestOur Eternal High PriestCalled by GracePerfect Through SufferingA Little MilkFoundationGod Comes to UsFaith in ChristObtaining the PromiseThe King of PeaceBlessed by the SuperiorA Priest Forever in ChristThe Forever PriestA Better HopeOur Eternal IntercessorOur Perfect High PriestOur Eternal High PriestThe Better Covenant in ChristA New CovenantPromises KeptOnly The High PriestNot the Blood of Goats
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March
Strive for PeaceNo Fire For YouMount ZionAn Unshakable KingdomA Kingdom That Cannot Be ShakenBrotherly Love in ChristConfidence in ChristSteadfast in ChristOutside the CampSacrifices of PraiseJoyful Obedience in ChristPray for Your PastorsEquipped by the Blood of ChristEncouragement in ChristGrace Be With You AllGod’s Sovereign HandFaithful in a Foreign LandFaithful in the Small ThingsTrusting GodWisdom from AboveEarthly Wisdom Fails, But Christ ReignsTrue Wisdom and the CrossThe Wisdom of Man FailsConfidence in God's MercyGod of Mercy and MightA Deliverer Sent by GodNo Wisdom but ChristThe Kingdom That EnduresThe Rock That Stands ForeverEarthly Kingdoms CrumbleThe Kingdom That Stands Forever