Abiding In The Vine

Abiding in the Vine

[Jesus said,] “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

My friends had old grapevines growing deep in their backyard near the woods that in the winter was full of dead, ugly, brown twigs. The previous owner of the property had once cultivated the grapevines and produced lovely green grapes. But as he and his wife grew older and infirm, they weren’t able to care for the vines, which seemed to die out. Fortunately, they didn’t pull out the vines, which remained in the ground but didn’t produce any fruit for several years. When my friends saw the grapevines, they envisioned what they could become with much pruning, cultivating, and watering. So they worked and they worked. By the next spring, the vines were beginning to come to life, and by summertime the branches were filled with little green grapes.

Looking at those vines reminds me that when I feel most ungreen and unproductive, when things aren’t going well, if I stay connected to Jesus, the true Vine, as today’s verse says, he will bring forth not just some fruit but much fruit. Fruit that will honor and please him and fill me with joy, just as the new owners of those grapevines were filled with joy at their harvest.

This verse also reminds us of the truth that apart from Christ we can do nothing. No self-effort, no striving will produce good fruit if we’re disconnected from his life. Remaining in Jesus is the key, but how marvelous that God takes the initiative to tend us and cultivate us as we remain in him. —CHERI

Thank you, Lord, for your precious promise that as I draw near and remain connected to you, I will draw strength from you, as a branch that drinks life from the Vine. Cause me to bear fruit that will remain.

If Christ, the heavenly Vine, has taken the believer as a branch, then He has pledged Himself, in the very nature of things, to supply the sap and spirit and nourishment to make it bring forth fruit. . . . The soul need but have one care—to abide closely, fully, wholly. He will give the fruit. He works all that is needed to make the believer a blessing.

—ANDREW MURRAY (1828–1917), SOUTH AFRICAN WRITER AND PASTOR