Daily Readings - Wed May 17 2017
Acts
1Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved."2This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.3The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad.4When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.5Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses."6The apostles and elders met to consider this question.
John
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons that guide us in our faith journey. The first reading from Acts 15.1-6 presents a pivotal moment in the early Christian church where a disagreement arises about whether Gentile converts must be circumcised. This conflict leads to a decision to seek guidance from the Apostles and elders in Jerusalem, highlighting the importance of unity and seeking wisdom in resolving disputes.
The Gospel reading from John 15.1-8 offers a beautiful metaphor of Jesus as the vine and His followers as the branches. Jesus emphasizes the necessity of abiding in Him to bear fruit, illustrating the deep, abiding relationship required for spiritual growth and effectiveness. This passage underscores the dependence of believers on Christ for their spiritual nourishment and productivity.
These readings connect through themes of unity and reliance on God. In Acts, the early church navigates a significant conflict with grace and unity, leading to a decision that embraces inclusivity. In John, Jesus teaches the essential connection between the believer and Himself, emphasizing that without Him, we cannot accomplish anything of lasting value. Together, they remind us to approach disagreements with love and to stay spiritually connected to Christ, ensuring that our actions and decisions are rooted in His teachings. The moral lesson here is clear: our strength and unity come from abiding in Christ, allowing us to navigate life's challenges with grace and wisdom.