Jesus the True Vine

John 15:1,4-5 ESV
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 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.  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.”

Jesus was preparing the disciples before His arrest, crucifixion, His resurrection, and His departure for heaven. He told them that He would be leaving them but He was not going to desert them, even though they would no longer see Him physically. His living energy—His spiritual reality— would continue to nourish and sustain them forever even though they could not see Him.

Jesus’ disciples depended on the connected with Jesus for their spiritual life and the ability to serve Him effectively. We are no different. All the fruit (good works) we bear is meaningless apart from Jesus. We can only live rightly, and serve Him effectively if we are rightly connected to Him in a faith/love relationship.

This illustration of the vine and branches is absolute, stark reality. No believer can achieve anything of spiritual value independently of Christ Jesus. No one can serve God effectively until he is connected with Jesus Christ by faith. Jesus is our only connection with the God who gave life and who produces in us a fruitful life of righteousness and service.

Prayer:
Jesus, you are the vine, I’m a branch, I can do nothing meaningful without You!