The True Vine

Tuesday

  John 15:1- 13

Jesus celebrated the Feast of Passover with His disciples. Little did the disciples know that night, that incredible night; that it would be the last night Jesus would spend with them before His death on the cross. For them and for us today all of His words in the New Testament are truth and powerful for us as believers. However, I do believe there is a special significance in what he said to them that night. Image their depth of sorrow when Jesus said to them: 

"Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world... Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer.'" John 13:1, 33 NLT

The John records the Last Supper that Jesus spent with His disciples in John chapters 13-17. The following is a portion that particularly speaks to my heart. Jesus explains the relationship He wants with His disciples after He is crucified and even with us today. It is being IN Him, IN Christ. Paul speaks much of being IN CHRIST. Here is one example:

“... if anyone is IN Christ, he is a new creation; 

old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 

2 Cor 5:17 NKJ 

Various versions of the Bible use the words, Abide in Me, Remain in Me. I look at it like abide means to live, to dwell in Him. Other versions say remain. I like both... we abide IN Him, living IN Him daily, throughout the whole day and to remain steady IN Him, as much as possible staying connected with Him. Jesus explains what being IN Him is like through this metaphor:

"I am the true vine and My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that does not bear fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch can not produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine and 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... But if you remain in Me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!!! When you produce much fruit, you are My true disciples. This brings great glory to My Father... Remain in My Love... I have told you these things so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will over flow." John 15: 1 - 11 NLT  

As believers, this is to be our life... abiding, living and remaining IN CHRIST. When we are connected to Him, as a branch is to a vine; His life flows within us. It is there that we find our true life source and our true purpose for living. For "IN HIM we live, move and have our being." When we are abiding IN HIM, living IN His words, His message finds expression in our lives with His Love flowing in us, through us and touching others with His love for them. Here are these verses from an amplified Bible:

“Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. 

Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, 

neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me. 

I am the Vine; you are the branches. 

The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit,

 for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] 

you can do nothing. 

If any one does not remain in Me, 

He is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers and dies; 

and they gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 

If you remain in Me and My words remain in you 

[that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], 

ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.” 

‭‭John‬ ‭15:4‬-7‭AMP‬‬

Remaining, abiding, living IN CHRIST is not easy in the day and age we live in. There is so much distraction and worldliness everywhere we look. Our world is fast paced, so many things to do and see; it is far easier to just enter and remain in the flow of worldliness. James speaks of being double minded, that is having divided loyalty, between God and the world.

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you... 

But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. 

Do not waver,  for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled 

as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 

Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 

Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, 

and they are unstable in everything they do.” 

James 1: 5-8 NLT version

What’s a person to do?

Go into your secret place in the early hours of the day. Enter God's presence in humility and brokenness. Read small portions of His word and behold His beauty... abide in Him. As Jesus says

"When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." Matthew 6:6 NKJ

Your secret place is not only a quiet place to go to where you can hear His voice above the noise of life; but it is also in your heart, where you meet with and connect with God. Abide in Him and remain in Him as you live your day. He will delight in being with you, even in the simplest things He calls you to. When you remain in Him, you can trust Him to remain in you.

Abide in Him today.