This Sunday we come to a famous passage: the Vine & the branches. As is often the case with familiar imagery, at some point we stop hearing the idea and only hear the reference. But Jesus intended this image to hit with fresh force - both as an encouragement and a warning. And if you've ever visited a vineyard in Napa, especially when they are pruning, there is something intentionally graphic here. He means to grab our attention. But Jesus never resorts to clickbait. His agenda is our full joy in him. What has so threatened our joy that Jesus sounds almost like a modern streetcorner preacher? And how can the violence of a knife produce fruit? Let's talk about the severe mercy of the vinedresser's knife: "Cut Off"
John 15:1-8
