Communion with Him

Text: John 15

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Today we drive past vineyards and I see it. The vine. The grapes growing to be harvested and turned to wine.

Brief the life of the grape, the fruit, until it is changed, preserved, and put into a vessel.

So I see it. Christ the Vine. Christ, our loving Redeemer not only grows and sustains us, but holds us, creates us. We are one with Him.

And the fruit of the vine – the grapes – to do something other than rot, must be separated from the comfort zone, that planting place, and be crushed unrecognizable until we see the fullness of us spill out into a unity of other grapes, mixture of juice. Not one, not me, not you, but us.  A collective whole, crushed for a better purpose. A more lasting purpose.

And changed to leave legacy. The grape juice goes through a process of fermenting – a changing that causes it to supersede earthly influence. A changing completely to create permanence, free from rot.

1 Peter 1:23 “Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” NKJV emphasis mine

1 Corinthians 15:42 “It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever.” NLT

1 Corinthians 15:54 “Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:“Death is swallowed up in victory.”” NLT

And put into a vessel to be ready, willing to be poured out into other vessels. To serve. And that is when it has fulfilled its purpose.

Not hanging beautiful on the vine, but broken, changed, willing, used. This is our purpose.

And the vine. He is the vine

John 15:1 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.”

Without Him we can do nothing.

John 15:5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

And with Him our purpose and our joy is complete.

John 15:11 “I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing.” AMP

We are His!

John 15:15a “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit,” NLT emphasis mine

He has called us, yes, ordained us, to carry forth His will – that we bring forth fruit and our fruit would remain.

How other to leave a legacy than to allow Him to change us? Without His changing we dry up. Or we rot. Rot in our own bacteria.

Remember. We are to remember. Each time we sup. Each time we break bread – or any food is cut into and served. If the serving spoon dips into hot casserole, or knife breaks steaming bread, remember.

I Corinthians 11:24 “And gave thanks to God for it. Then He broke it in pieces and said, “This is My body, which is given for you. Do this to remember Me.”” NLT

We must remember and thus be filled with Him.

If not we dry up. Dry up without fresh nourishment from the vine flowing into our thin skin we wear in this world.

As oft as ye drink it.

I Corinthians 11:25-26 “In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” NKJV emphasis mine

There is ceremony involved with communal communion, typically as a body of believers, typically with bread or cracker, and wine or juice; but what if in our own hearts, as oft as we drink, as oft as we partake, if we held communion? Just in our own private heart and spirit before the Lord.

As I write I am sipping. All day long we eat and drink. Break bread. What would that do in our hearts if we changed our habit just for a week. Two weeks. Longer? 

Let our spirit thank Him with each bite for His sacrifice. Thank you Jesus. Take each sip with gratefulness. Thank you Jesus. Forkful of praise. Glassful of grateful. Thank you Jesus!

Our hearts will be marked. Marked by Him. Changed.

Changed to be that crushed grape, fermented and preserved. Useful and good. Leaving a legacy.

Join me?

If you wish to make a public declaration of this commitment, say so in the comments. You can say how much time you want to start with.

Come back afterward and share how it changed you!