Tuesday Tidings, March 24, 2026

Dearest Members of Bethlehem,

“I am the vine; you are the branches.  Those who abide in me and I in them, bear much fruit…” -John 15:5

I was reminded recently that this little line from the Gospel of John is both a source of meaningful wisdom and a compelling image.

Jesus wanted to be sure that we understood where we stood, or at least should be standing.

We are not the “vine,” and we certainly are not the “roots”… we are the “branches.”  Is this a heap of poetical nonsense, a biblical metaphor gone too far, or does this passage matter?

It matters.

Jesus wants us to grasp that, when things are as they should be, we are in a position to bear fruit.

Perhaps more importantly, if things are as they should be, the fruit that we bear will always be reflective of the source from whence it came.

Consider this, you see a young child unattended outside a grocery store.  They appear to be alone, slightly disheveled, and distraught; what do you do?  You may comfort the child.  You may seek to connect the child with a parent.  You may merely observe from a distance to be sure the little one remains safe until someone comes to their aid.

Now, as a Christian genuinely connected to and rooted in the goodness of God, what’s the “driving force” behind your response?

By the grace of God, even when we don’t realize it, such compassionate responses to the world’s need is proof that you are gradually becoming as fruitful a “branch” as you possibly can be.  God’s goodness is flowing through us out into the world.

This day will provide you with a plethora of opportunities to interact with others, to respond to a stressful situation, or face a challenge.  Don’t overthink it, take a brief second to remind yourself of who and whose you are, and then live into what you have been called to do.

After everything is said and done, take a moment to offer up a prayer of gratitude.  In small and significant ways you were empowered to bring some Light into a dreary world, you had the privilege to bear fruit that was a kind of harvest for those you were called to bless with God’s goodness.   

Question for reflection: What’s the “driving force” in your life?  What is informing your work, service, and recreation?

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Dan

Gracious Lord, renew our hope, fill us with light, bless us with opportunities to demonstrate our faith in your redemptive power.  In seasons like these, we lean on your promises, and trust that you will reign forever and ever.  In Christ’s name we pray, amen.

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