Bearing Fruit

 John 15: 1-8

The Vine and the Branches

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

This wonderful image of the vine and the branches enables us to see clearly what our relationship with Jesus can be, and, indeed, must be.  He is the source of our life, the root that gives us sustenance, enables us to live and give sustenance to others through the fruit we bear.  Like any vine whose roots draw moisture and nutrients from the earth and then bud forth fruit, when rooted in Christ, we draw our strength and spiritual nutrition from him. We nourish ourselves in prayer, study of the Scriptures, and service to others.  There's no other way to do it. Let us take time to visualize ourselves as branches on this vine and ask Jesus to help us bear fruit today and in the days ahead.

Bro. Rene