5 Easter, Year B, April 28
Acts 8:26-40 • Ps. 22:24-30 • 1 John 4:7-21 • John 15:1-8
In a familiar and beautiful image, Jesus illustrates the mystical communion of his life and the lives of his disciples. “I am the vine, you are the branches” (John 15:5a). The branches abide in the vine, drawing essential life-giving nourishment. “Without me,” Jesus says, “apart from me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5b). What is true of the disciples of Christ is true no less of the entire creation, as all things have come into being and continue to be through a current of divine grace. “All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people” (John 1:3-4). Like the life-giving blood pouring from the pierced side of Christ, there was a prior and primordial outpouring of divine grace, without which there would be nothing.
To be fully alive is to sense a divine light and life in one’s heart and soul, body, and blood. Are we not temples of the Holy Spirit? And is not the Spirit the Spirit of the risen Lord? We are because Christ is, and we act for our good, for the good of our neighbor, and to the glory of God because the life of Christ the Vine flows unfailingly into the branches. For our part, we adhere to Christ with all our desire and prayer and faith, but we do not thereby earn or otherwise compel the grace of God toward us. Rather, God’s grace ever flows toward us, prompting our response of faith, hope, and love.
Here, we touch upon a doctrine too rich to pass over. It is called “theosis,” and it means that we share in the very life of God. We share, that is, in the divine nature. Hold before your mind’s eye the vine and see nutrients coursing through it into the branches. As you look, listen to these words: “His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Thus he has given us through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants in the divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:3-4). Thus, not only do we follow Christ, but we are the place of Christ’s spiritual indwelling. We are Christ-bearers in the world. Without him we can do nothing. With him we have everything necessary for life and godliness, knowledge of the truth, his precious and very great promises. In a word, we have the very life of Christ in us.
Christ in us has efficacy, force, and virtue. Working in us, Christ helps us to bear fruit in moral action and spiritual transformation. What are we to do? Of course, the answer must vary according to each person and circumstance. Still, we have a reliable guide. “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me” (Matt. 25:35-36). Very likely, we have, even if sparingly, done some of these things, and so Christ has flowed through and out of us. May the occasions and the depth of this work grow! What of spiritual gifts? “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23). In all we do and in the spiritual gifts we receive — we give, as is most justly due, all praise and glory and honor to Christ our Lord, the True Vine.
Look It Up: Acts 8:35
Think About It: If you start with Jesus Christ, your life will become his good news.