The Vine

John 15:1-8

I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

WHEN ISAIAH WROTE OF a beloved vineyard that produced nothing but bitter grapes, he was making a pointed statement about the fruitlessness he was seeing from the kingdom of Israel in his day. The song of the vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7) became an emblematic theme in Israel’s history, not only in Isaiah but in other writings too. These writings raised the question of whether God’s people were being fruitful and fulfilling their calling or falling short and turning bitter. The implication was the latter and often at critical moments in the redemptive story.

Jesus and his disciples were well aware of this theme, and Jesus’ reference to himself as the true vine (John 15:1) was understood as a loaded statement. He was claiming to be the true Israel and the Son of the true vinedresser. He would bring the harvest his Father had always sought, and his followers would fulfill ancient promises of fruitfulness. The picture of the vinedresser hoping for a great vintage in Isaiah 5 was to be completed in all those who live as a branch on the true vine. But we are warned that those who don’t produce fruit will not participate in the harvest. The good news for believers who have lived through futile, frustrating seasons is that the time of fullness has come. All we have to do is hang on as a branch and draw our nutrition and strength from the vine. The fruit will inevitably grow.

If you’ve been striving to produce fruit and make a difference in this world, be at rest. Lean back into the strength of the vine, and let his life flow through you. Branches don’t battle for their fruit; they simply grow. In your growth, you will become a testimony of God’s means for growth, a principle that works in both the natural and supernatural realms. You will demonstrate the secret for being both relaxed and productive, a vessel for the work of a power beyond yourself.

{Jesus, you modeled fruitfulness by doing what you saw the Father doing and being empowered by the Spirit. May your life likewise flow through me. Let me be abundantly fruitful with your works. Amen.