Having finished their last Passover meal together, Jesus led his disciples out of the upper room, down the steps built into the outside of the house, and toward the nearest gate on the east of the city. The streets were empty as the small band made their way out of Jerusalem and across the Kidron Valley. Turning north, Jesus headed toward the Mount of Olives. The moon was bright and made it easy to see the way. As they walked along in silence, they passed by a vineyard planted on the side of the hill. Jesus stopped beside one of the grape vines and called His disciples to Him. Pointing to the thick, healthy vine, Jesus said, “Come here. As you look at this grape vine, consider this important truth. I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. As the true vine, I produce lots of ... Read More about 34 – The Secret to Producing God’s Fruit

(Inspired by John 14:7-31) At this Passover meal, instead of joy, hope, and gladness, Jesus’s disciples were completely crushed. Their Master had just told them that this very night Rock would deny three times that he even knew Jesus and that all the rest of them would forsake Him. When Jesus saw the devastating sorrow that this news caused His followers, the Lord’s calm response was, “Don’t worry about it. You only need to trust in the Father and Me.” Essentially Jesus had just confessed their sins for them before they had even committed them, then He indicated that He and the Father had a plan in place to take care of it all. Knowing that His closest friends were about to turn their backs on Him, Jesus didn’t urge them to ‘be strong and resist temptation’ or coach them how to not ... Read More about 33 – Christ’s Response to Our Failures