I Am the Vine

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At the beginning of the Christmas season I bought a decorative basket for my table. It was assembled with branches that had been cut from pine trees. After about two weeks some of the needles began falling off. Seeing as though Christmas was still a couple of weeks away I decided I was going to keep the branches wet and add some water so that the needles would stop shedding. My husband saw me start pouring water into the basket. He tried stopping me and told me watering it was not going to do any good because the branches were already dead and they would not soak up any more water…. I poured the first cup of water into the basket and it disappeared quickly ‘Heh, look at what is working??’ ? I slyly thought to myself.

Then I poured an additional cup of water just to completely saturate the bottom. I walked away proud that I was going to be the first person to successfully keep a dead plant alive through the holiday season. As I put the cup in the sink my oldest son Tristan yells “Mommy! The Water!” I looked over and all the water I had poured into the planter was on the table in a puddle. ?????

This painted a picture in my mind about when Jesus was teaching and said,

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.  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.
John 15:5-6

As I looked at this plant quite a few analogies came to mind. First the plant is beautiful on the outside and it looks alive. The branches are green. It still smells like a fresh cut pine tree. It is decorative and eye catching. I thought about this in relationship to us. Do we look alive on the outside? Are we going to church on Sundays? Are we giving to charities? Are we hard working and kind to others? Are we leaders in our community?

It is important to be kind. It is beneficial to attend church. It is a blessing to others when you give to charities. However, our outside actions very possibly may not reflect our internal state just like the branches in the planter. Externally the planter was beautiful and decorative but internally the branches were dead.

How do we know if we are alive and thriving? How do we know if we are connected to the vine of life. The answer is found in these verses. Remain or abide in me and I will remain and abide in you. The only way to remain alive is to be connected to the life supporting vine of Christ. If we are not connected to Him we will end up going through the motions of this life without true life support.

If we are not connected to Christ then we will be like the branches in the planter. We will essentially be dead but look alive. After a branch is cut it can no longer soak up nutrients or water. It can no longer live on its own. It will turn brown and the leaves will wither and ultimately the branches will end up in the trash. If we are not attached to the vine that is Christ we will not be able to fake the fact we are not attached for very long. As life hits us, the turmoil, the divorce, the pain, the death of others, the sickness, the depression the anxiety, as trials are poured on us just like the water poured on the branches on my table, they will simply spill over to all aspects of our life. If we are not connected to Christ then there will be no root system to support us in our weakest moments. There will be no assurance in our salvation. If we are not connected to the vine of Christ we will be like a cut branch that cannot survive on its own.

Because of his great love for us when we put our faith and hope in Him we will receive everlasting life. This is the only way to survive and thrive because this world is a temporary stop before eternity begins.

True relationship with Jesus Christ is the only way to live a life that is bountiful and fruitful and able to soak up the trials of life because we are able to rest our cares and our burdens on Him.

And can you consider the bounty that comes from being connected to Christ? The fruit that you will bear in your life? The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness faithfulness and self control. The Holy Spirit will grow and strengthen these qualities in your life. You will also bear fruit that is visible to others such as encouraging others, loving them well, sharing joy with them, speaking peace in difficult times and having more patience and self control in day to day interactions.

I want to make another small analogy and that is a fruit tree does not bear fruit for its own sustainence and well being. There has never been an apple tree who eats its own apples or a grape vine that drinks its own grape juice.

A fruit tree always produces fruit for the benefit of someone else. The enjoyment of someone else. The prosperity of someone else. The sustainence of someone else.

Fruit can look different in each persons life just like fruit from a tree can be enjoyed differently. You can eat it straight from the vine, you can make jam, you can puree it for baby food, you can make juice…. The fruit in our lives serves many different purposes as well. It can be fruit that loves our neighbors, that takes care of the sick, that shares the good new of the gospel, serves in ministry, prays for others, loves our children and family well, does all things for the glory of God, encourages others with scripture. The fruit we are bearing is blossoming because we are rooted and connected to the vine of Christ and there are endless possibilities for the fruit of our lives to bless others.

Apart from Him we cannot bear His fruit.

And if you are a branch that is not connected and not attached to Him….Now is the time! If you are a plant in a planter that is only surviving one season because there is no support please ask Him into your heart today. He wants to be your life support and provide you with all the nutrients of salvation, hope, joy, peace, and so much more. He loves you and wants you to be sustained now and forever.

If you love Jesus and He is your vine and you are connected to him then I encourage you today to observe the fruit you are bearing. He calls you to bear it so ask today what fruit do you want me to bear in my life for you Lord?

The Lord bless you and Keep you,

Kara?

Hallelujah
Holy, Holy
God almighty
The Great I am