Peace instead of a ceasefire, loyalty instead of calculation: all people seek what is good. But how can this be found? Here are some insights from a divine service by the Chief Apostle.
Hungary is renowned for its fine wines. Occasionally, at the edges of vineyards, neglected vines grow, bearing fruit of their own. But “these are very small and very sour”.
These words opened the divine service on 12 September 2026 in Budapest, Hungary. The service was based on Jesus’ words from John 15: 3–4: “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you.”
A new vine is needed
“Actually, everyone goes from vine to vine,” Chief Apostle Helge Mutschler said. “We all seek peace, joy, and loyalty.” Yet reality often looks quite different: “Just a ceasefire that might last 24 hours.” Or: “I will stand by you, but only as long as you serve my purposes.”
In his search for a solution, the Chief Apostle looked back two thousand years. The vine was the national symbol of Israel: a golden vine hung above one of the gates of the temple, and grapes were depicted on coins. The people saw themselves as having been planted by God. Yet, as the prophet Isaiah pointed out, they bore only bad fruit. And then came Jesus.
The door is already open
“I am the true vine,” Jesus said to His disciples at the Last Supper, addressing this very situation. “God is doing something great: He is replacing the vine,” explained the Chief Apostle. The sinless Christ took the place of sinful humanity.
And He offers people the opportunity to be united with Him: “Just be branches on Me, and you will automatically bear good fruit.” For the Chief Apostle this is “such a comforting, such a relief-giving message”.
What must be removed for growth to occur
“You are already clean,” Jesus said to His disciples at the Last Supper. At that time, shortly before the Passover, people underwent purification rituals in order to be admitted to the temple. The eleven Apostles had not performed any of these rituals. And yet Jesus declared them clean.
This promise still holds true today, the Chief Apostle emphasised: “God’s heart is open to you. You have been admitted. The door is open to you.” This applies regardless of a person’s state or circumstances: “Even if you have sinned greatly, even if you have the greatest doubts, even if you are very sad.”
God stands there with open arms. “You do not have to perform a hundred thousand rituals or prove yourself in order to be allowed to go to God.”
To hold and be held
“Clean” has another meaning as well. Jesus describes God as a vine-grower who removes barren branches that bear no fruit and prunes the fruit-bearing branches so that they may bear even more. This is reflected in the rebirth of water and Spirit.
Why all of this? So that the fruit of the Holy Spirit can grow.
- True peace: “You are God’s child, so that you may bring true peace to the world, and not merely a ceasefire.”
- True loyalty: “You are a child of God so that you may bring true faithfulness into this world, and not merely remain with people as long as they are of use to you.”
- True kindness: “You are a child of God, a pruned vine, so that you may bring true kindness into people’s lives.”
And what must a person do to achieve this? “This activity is the smallest possible activity: remain in Me.” Yet Jesus “knows full well that we cannot even manage that”. That is why He adds: “And I in you.” This means: “But I will stay with you no matter what.”
And this promise extends into the future. At His return, Christ will receive His bride as pure and accepted. In the kingdom of Peace that follows, people will be united with Christ and will finally bear the fruit for which the whole world has always been waiting: true peace.
Andreas Rother