As I was working on Sunday’s sermon, I could hear a jazz version of a classic Motown song, I Heard It Through the Grapevine.  Those who know the song would not say it was a Valentine’s Day song since the song’s message is an impending breakup of a romantic, perhaps not romantic enough relationship.

The question that I want to raise is, how do you get your information? What is your news source?

Our epistle lesson implies this question.

³Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake.

It implies that some people are getting good information and others not so good information. Paul states that those who do not get the message of the gospel are those “who are perishing.” They are perishing not only because they are not hearing, but they are not seeing the light of the gospel, of the Lord, as well.

In our gospel lesson, God commands that the disciples listen to Jesus, whom John refers to as the true vine.  I know that the grapevine provides some juicy news, but too often, it provides more gossip than gospel and news that may not be fit to hear.

Beloved, let’s remind ourselves, to focus on what our Holy God has instructed us to do, listen to Jesus, not the grapevine, but the true vine. Amen.