This is our purpose in life

Every day we’re asking four questions about part of the Bible. Today Bern Leckie answers:

What did I like about today's passage?

Have you had days, maybe stressful recent days, when you’ve wondered – what’s the point? We might think we know what we want and what to expect from life, but in the turbulent times when our plans collapse and hope seems far off, it’s a good question to ask. What are we here for? Without a good sense of that, it’s hard to know what to do next.

I love that Jesus knew that this was exactly what his followers needed to hear before their plans would seem to fail and their world would change completely. He had become their hope, following his lead had become their life, and even though Jesus had told them he had to die, they were obviously not ready to grasp what this meant and why it was good.

But as they walked through Jerusalem from their last supper towards the place where Jesus would be arrested, they would have passed the temple which was engraved with vines, the symbol of Israel’s hope for peace and prosperity. People longed for the stability which made it worth cultivating vines, as well as the good soil, patience and skill required for good fruit.

I love how Jesus turns this symbol and all expectations attached into a fresh picture of life, its purpose and what to expect next. Instead of hoping for stuff, hope for him. Connecting with Jesus is like being grafted into “the true grapevine” in which we are branches and Father God is the gardener. Our purpose is to be fruitful simply by remaining in this vine.

What kind of fruit are we growing? This isn’t Jesus’ command to make more disciples – they aren’t our fruit. They would be branches too! Instead, Jesus is talking about the quality of our lives, what comes out of our minds and hearts. It’s the replacement of bitterness, fragility and anger with peace, joy and ultimately love.

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

Jesus’ tremendous encouragement is that these are not things we have to strain to manufacture. Instead, it is God’s purpose to grow them in us, using his skill, the pruning and purifying done by Jesus’ words to us, and the new life and power supplied by the Holy Spirit.

I love how my worries about change in the world and my attempts to define or redefine my purpose in life are all overtaken by being defined by Jesus as part of his vine. My life is now about God, his skills and his purposes, and the best products of my life are the things he produces in me, especially love. It brings glory to God that our lives produce love and joy.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

This reminds me that my ability to do anything particularly well, with love, patience and faithfulness, is a product of God’s cultivation of me – sometimes pruning back, always with the purpose of growth and more fruit in the end. I would not be able to be a parent, husband or capable worker without the fruit of the Holy Spirit first and foremost. So, I will thank God for this and bring him my requests for whatever else I think I need for the school holidays and next year. Jesus promises: “ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!”

Who am I going to share this with?

My family and, I hope, in work relationships where we can talk about our plans for 2021.