Jesus said: “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” John 15:5
TOPIC: Jesus shows our close relationship to him.
BACKGROUND: Jesus was with his disciples in the Upper Room. He said he would soon be leaving them. He needed to assure them that their relationship would not end. This is the seventh I AM from the gospel of John.
It was Thursday. Within the next 24 hours the disciples would see their master arrested, tried, beaten, and nailed to a cross. Is it any wonder we find the disciples huddling together in a locked room three days later? It’s hard to imagine what was on their minds and lips. Jesus knew these thoughts and feelings would come upon them. In the Upper Room he tried repeatedly to calm their worried hearts and show them there was some hope at the end of the tunnel.
And so he told them about the vine and branches. He likened himself to the vine that provides strength and nourishment for the rest of the plant. God’s people are the branches. Like the disciples, we too are firmly anchored to the vine for support and through the vine we receive the necessary food to keep us producing the fruit. The branches know that they cannot produce by themselves. They are totally reliant on the vine.
Jesus promises he will remain faithful to his followers. “Remain in me, as I also remain in you” (John 15:4). The KJV says, “abide in me.” We remain in Christ through daily prayer, meditation, and Bible reading.
What comfort we find in this picture Jesus paints for us. He will never desert us. He will not leave us without his protection, his armor, and his love. Luke said in Acts 17:28, “In him we live and move and have our being.” We gladly serve as Jesus’ branches, and pray that we would deliver a rich harvest of fruit for him!
PRAYER THOUGHT: by Henry W. Flickenger
Since I am Thine, Lord, and Thou art mine,
Tho’ but a branch whilst Thou art the vine;
Prune me and train me that I may be
Fruitful in service, Master, for Thee. Amen.
PAUL WRITES ABOUT JESUS: “Christ did die for all of us. He died so we would no longer live for ourselves, but for the one who died and was raised to life for us.” 2 Corinthians 5:15 CEV
From At the Feet of Jesus by Reynold R. Kremer