John 15:1-16 ~ every Branch in Jesus

The Silk Road - an ancient network of trade routes connecting the East and West. Central to cultural interaction between the regions for many between East Asia and Southeast Asia with East Africa, West Asia and Southern Europe.

Christians recognize Jesus puts our sins as far as East from West. As South from North.

Jesus puts upon our hearts to make straight paths.

John 15:1-16

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.


12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Christians are well acquainted with the theology the History of the Kings of Israel and Judah are also reflections of opinions, ideas, words and deed creating life. And giving us the fruit of the Spirit shown as fruit of the tree of our lives.

History is enjoyable for the stories told. Reflections on values. I considered a History Major in college until the Junior and Senior years were taken with fluency in a second language. So instead I read History.

The study of Abigail Adams life is one of making the best of her husband's ideals taking him from home.

Abigail had been left behind too many times and she was making sure she was traveling with the First Ambassador to England after the Revolutionary War.

John Adams followed most unusual patterns - taking his wife across the fierce ocean to take an Ambassadorship of the brand new nation. John Adams was actually instructed by Thomas Jefferson not to be accompanied by his wife - it looked provincial. When our Nation's soon to be First Vice-President did not heed Jefferson's request, Benjamin Franklin was much more frank and rude and told him he was a fool who would fail. These letters actually had one reach him before the journey and Franklin's letter reached Adams in London. Competent men rarely like rude letters. And while John Adams would work as a Christian to restore his friendship with Jefferson, because of their warm shared past. Adams would be shocked at the looseness of Franklin. And their relationship would never repair. Franklin was married, but appeared in the French Court with any woman of his choice. When in France, do as the French.

Jefferson also pointed out to Adams he would risk Abigail's life to cross the ocean. Abigail had missed years with John and they decided if they perished, they would take this time together and perish if they must. Adams had abhorred George III because they had fought his injustices to have freedom. Jefferson and Adams had discussed the real possibility George III would kill the first Ambassador to England on the ability to kill a subject of King George III's for treason. Abigail and Adams did not think Abigail would be killed, but discussed how her passage home would go.

John Adams was loyal to his nation. And loyal to Law. John and his son Quincy had represented the defense of men who had killed five Boston residents during the Boston Massacre in 1770. Seeking law and justice. Hence - John would be the First Ambassador. A stepping stone to being the 1st Vice President and the 2nd President of our nation.

It was abhorrent to learn to bow to George III. The pomp and the ceremony of all of England was something a freeman like Adams feeling as if he had discovered the stench of hell. As he approached the monarch, John Adams felt fear. He felt that if he were to be killed, this would be the day, or he would live. John Adams truthfully said he was the man for the job that both nations had been kindred with a common language and shared a common faith. He was glad to represent the new nation as a proud new nation to address as hopeful common allies. Adams hoped to unite the countries as help to both nations.

The King did not speak for a long time and, finally, congratulated Adams as being a sincere man. George III went on to say of all the men on the planet, he was the last to accept the separation. And the first to hope for the new nation to go forth to do great and meaningful things for the citizens. George III expressed his approval of Adams for the desire for his nation for greatness. He then asked Adams what he thought of the French. Adams correctly said he only represented his own nation with great care. The King said exactly, an honest man only represents his own nation. Both men found warmth and sincerity in the conversation. Adams was greatly surprised. Adams had done very well.




Jefferson asked for Adams to come to the French Court. Under no circumstance was Abigail to even put foot in France. He and Benjamin Franklin were part of Court, but had achieved nothing. A few ships would help, but not create safety. Adams was laughed out of the court for not speaking French. King Louis XVI spoke English perfectly, but King Louis preferred to be in double entendre with Franklin - Franklin seemed to have changed personality. Later in the day, Adams was to scream and yell, almost to the point of stroke with the Ambassador of France to the United States. Franklin and Adams had now become completely estranged. Jefferson was aghast. And found with Adams ability to scream and yell over no assistance being provided, that the French worried the scene would become the loss of the new nation. Adams was to display his truthful disdain over complete disregard for the cares of the many. Jefferson was to discover the lack of diplomacy had found the path to command the attention of the disinterested government. Adams again succeeded. Being honest.



Now look at the Theology of making a Straight Path.


John Adams was willing to take his distinguished career and represent fair Justice to the English Soldiers killing during the Boston Massacre. And he had no real diplomacy except the truth. Which made him the Second President. He would spend his last years talking to Jefferson and Jefferson began to read the Bible. They died on the same day.  John Adams entered Heaven seeing a living Thomas Jefferson, who had been unknown to have died earlier that day. Both men were better men to have repaired public damage.


Thomas Jefferson, is a fascinating man. He studied a Bible he had pushed aside until his old age and found pure Truth. Jefferson had changed during his time in France. It was hard for him to become provincial again after being in the city of Paris which had delighted all of Jefferson. And he then planned for Washington D.C. for the new world to have a real city. Jefferson was an entertainer and usually had 40 guests for lunch and dinner. Thomas Jefferson would show all his collections and every meal had French wines. What did this mean? Each bottle of wine - back in the day - cost an astonishing $75 per bottle. Most French wines aboard American ships had one destination - Monticello. Jefferson constantly re-arranged Monticello. If slavery had a break, it was the slaves rested during non-harvest seasons. Winter was vacation. Except at Monticello. Jefferson would die broke. So broke he was one million dollars in debt. His family would leave Monticello the day after his death. No son would be alive from Jefferson. He had long ago promised never to remarry. Daughters were not important enough to work to leave a legacy.

And the truth is Thomas Jefferson was very lovable.

And yet History paints a picture.


During the Presidency of George Washington - scant years - the French Crown had been held from 987 to 1793. The reign of self interested family to an indulgent court with hardly any interest in the welfare of the people. Warned 200 years earlier by the Russian Czar about the lack of care for the citizens.

Acts 1 tells us Judas 'turned aside to his own interests'. End of French Crowned heads.

And George III was to be the King who failed and yet his government remains today. He cared for his people.





Benjamin Franklin July 1784, Franklin met with Mirabeau and contributed anonymous materials that the Frenchman used in his first signed work: Considerations sur l'ordre de Cincinnatus. The publication was critical of the Society of the Cincinnati, established in the United States. Franklin and Mirabeau thought of it as a "noble order", inconsistent with the egalitarian ideals of the new republic. Franklin was with the King and the New Republic. Franklin would rise to be Governor of Pennsylvania

In 1990, The New York Times reported Now, 200 years after his death on April 17, 1790, Boston and Philadelphia became beneficiaries of Franklin's 18th century wisdom. Franklin bequeathed the cities a total of $12,000 sterling, with one hitch: much of the money could not be drawn on for 100 years, and the rest could not be distributed for 200 years.

Franklin's bequest is worth $6.5 million, and the legacy has become Politicians, historians and civic leaders put the money to a green legacy restoring public parks. Public land. Franklin would like his green legacy.

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George Washington is loved by our Nation. The Nation he gave the Whiskey Tax and he primarily paid. His family did not mind his slaves were to serve him, but not Martha and her children, upon his death. Let's be real as we look even at this issue. He would be debunked for his interest in a nation and not heart from a New York pulpit by the relative of mine, Rev. Byrd Wilson. Who had known him through his father, James Wilson. Not really what you'd hope to have happen. Not really what you'd want your relative to have done. Let us love one another.

Interesting, a king has a son. And therefore he is not going to let go of a nation. Washington and Jefferson had no son. John Adams did and Quincy was raised to rise up - in what was truly important. Both Adams, father and son, were committed to a community of justice and opportunity for all. Adams told George III's concern for the nation not having a monarch, that they would both pray the new nation was directed to please God.



1 John 4:7-10

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.


Our Abba,

John told us of the God of Love.
Paul told us God is Steadfast and encouragement.

And once more, Isaiah says: “The root of Jesse will appear, One who will arise to rule over the Gentiles; in Him the Gentiles will put their hope.”

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

With God in us as Love, the Hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, and God's presence in our souls. We will let His mercies renew in us each day. And have His presence as we trust our lives, cares, loved ones to His Love and Mercy.

With God's help, we will do what God has given us to do. Following God's Will and Way.

In Jesus Christ. Always. Our Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †