In John 15 Jesus uses the picture of a vine and branch to describe what it means to be in a relationship with Him. Christianity is about a personal relationship not about doing a checklist of things and not being a bad person. In John 15 Jesus is stressing the importance of this relationship using this picture we see in nature everyday.
Yesterday we looked at this example. Many mornings I would go to the church parking lot and pray. Behind the church there is 5 large trees that separate the church property from the cemetery. There was a time when a branch had broken off from one of the trees and fell to the ground. For several days this broken branch remained green and for several days looked alive however it was as good as dead.
The branch gets its life, its sap, its nutrients from the tree trunk. The life of the tree is found inside the trunk of the tree. The branch cannot survive on its own, it is not connected to a source of life.
After about 7 days the branch finally began to turn brown and it finally began to look like it had no life in the meantime the trees and their connected branches were still just as green as ever. Even during a time of drought, the branches connected to the tree trunk still remain green and full of life because they are connected to their life source.
John 15:1-11 ESV - “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. [2] Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. [3] Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. [4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. [5] I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. [6] If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. [7] If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [8] By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. [9] As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. [10] If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. [11] These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
The opposite of abiding is being disconnected. I think it is important at this point to note 2 possibilities. First, in this passage Jesus is talking about people who are completely disconnected. Jesus is talking about people who are not Christians. He says they are destined for the fire. They have no spiritual life in them. It is through this passage that some people draw the conclusion that you can lose your salvation. I want to point you to 2 John 1:9.
2 John 1:9 ESV - Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
John tells us the test for those who are truly saved is that they remain and abide. When we lose connection it proves we never really were connected.
The second possibility is that you are connected to the vine (Jesus) but it is a very poor connection. This would mean there is still life flowing from the vine to the branch but it is limited. This kind of connection will not lead to a healthy branch. It will be a branch that never sees the fullness of life.
I believe in the modern church today that we are full of both of these 2 conditions. The solution is to abide, to stay connected, to make the relationship healthy. This is done through continued prayer, study of God’s word, worship and obedience. This will strengthen your connection to the vine.
Through this challenge I want us today to pray for our church family. Pray for those in our church who are distant and the connection to the vine is weak. Pray that they will be drawn back to the source of life. Pray that they would spend time in prayer and in God’s word this week.
Pray for those who are not connected to the vine at all. Pray for those that may be lost and without Christ that they will be drawn to Him and they will repent and turn to God. Pray that God draws them to Himself. Pray for opportunities to share Jesus with them.
Pray for yourself and how you see your relation to the vine. Pray that your connection only gets stronger. Pray that you will bear much fruit.
Pray for our church leaders that they will abide daily and stay connected to the vine. Pray that they draw their life from The Way the Truth and the Life.
