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I Am the Vine

I Am the Vine

I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 WEB

With these words, Jesus describes the only way to live a fruitful, productive Christian life. Saying, “I am the vine,” Christ reveals himself as the source of our very lives. With this metaphor, Jesus encourages believers to rely on him completely. In doing this, we emulate the relationship Jesus has with God and produce good fruit for the kingdom of heaven.   

As Christians, we are called to honor God with our lives. Christ tells us of himself in John 5:30 as he says, “I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous; because I don’t seek my own will, but the will of my Father who sent me. WEB” 

With My Father

Further, The Lord reveals in John 8:38, “I say the things which I have seen with my Father.” Although fully God himself, Christ lived in obedience to the will of God. The pride of the enemy, who sought to raise himself to the level of God, was not present in our Lord.  We read in Philippians 2:6 which says of Jesus, “who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped.” 

Jesus considered it enough to be like the Father. As followers of Christ, it is enough that  we are like the Son. When Jesus says, “I am the vine,” he reveals his status as divine with the words “I am.” These are the very words God used to describe himself when Moses asked who he should say sent him to free the children of Israel. 

Our Divine Source 

God, whom Christ likened unto a gardener, is Jesus’ divine source of power. As followers of Christ we live through our connection to him like branches. The Lord is our divine source. We rely on our connection to him to produce good fruit for the kingdom of heaven. We do this by living in obedience to Christ by the grace of God who sent Jesus to be our Savior.   

Apart from Christ, we can do nothing but live the sinful lives of disobedience that result in condemnation. Saying, “I am the vine,” Jesus reveals what happens to those who do not remain in him. In the next verse, John 15:6, the Lord makes clear, “If a man doesn’t remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. WEB”

Prayer: “Father God, thank you for connecting me to the everlasting source of life that is your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for the fruit you bring to bear the vine and its branches. Help me to be as productive as possible for your kingdom. Take away everything that inhibits my production as I rely on you completely. In Jesus’ name – Amen”

Yesterday’s Devotional: The Promise of the Father

Chosen by God

coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious. 1 Peter 2:4 WEB Did you ever play hide and seek as a child? In the game, we are safe when we touch base. In the Christian faith, when we touch base with the cornerstone of our faith,...

Led by the Spirit of God

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God. Romans 8:14 WEB After his resurrection and before his ascension into heaven, Christ promised his disciples the Holy Spirit. We read of this promise in Luke 14:15-17 which says, “If you love me,...

Follow After Love

Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 1 Corinthians 14:1 WEB The previous chapter of Paul’s letter emphasizes the importance of love. In it, he uses glowing terms to describe love and teaches that love is greater...