40 Days in the Book of JOHN
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Book of JOHN
Day 31 | THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES | John 15:1, 5, 7-8
40 Days in the Book of JOHN
Day 31 | THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES | John 15:1, 5, 7-8
THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES
John 15:1, 5, 7 - 8
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.”
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”
Jesus is talking to his disciples using terms that would be very meaningful in that time and place.
Picture a grapevine. Picture Jesus being the VINE and Father God the vinedresser. Then WE are the branches that bear the fruit.
It’s clear that branches need a vine to be alive and bear fruit. It’s also well known that some branches need to be pruned (cut or trimmed) to remove the dead parts so that they can bear more and healthier fruit. These verses also teach that we are designed to bear MUCH fruit – thus proving we are Jesus’ disciples (aka followers).
Fruit-bearing is inevitable with abiding. Galatians 5 teaches about the “fruit of the spirit” – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – which is what can be expected from a good “branch.”
But additionally, we are promised answered prayer “If you abide in me and my words abide in you.” Many grab this promise as a “name it-claim it” verse, but it is not. YES, our God does answer prayer, but it starts with an “IF” and abiding in the Lord and HIS WORDS in us takes focus, time, and acceptance of HIS authority in our lives and submission to Him. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) should then become as common for us as it was for Jesus, who was always talking to His Father. THEN it becomes safe for the LORD to say to the sanctified soul, “ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
Prayer: LORD, lead me to the place where I live in such harmony with You that I am bearing much fruit for Your honor and glory. Amen.
John 15:1, 5, 7 - 8
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.”
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”
Jesus is talking to his disciples using terms that would be very meaningful in that time and place.
Picture a grapevine. Picture Jesus being the VINE and Father God the vinedresser. Then WE are the branches that bear the fruit.
It’s clear that branches need a vine to be alive and bear fruit. It’s also well known that some branches need to be pruned (cut or trimmed) to remove the dead parts so that they can bear more and healthier fruit. These verses also teach that we are designed to bear MUCH fruit – thus proving we are Jesus’ disciples (aka followers).
Fruit-bearing is inevitable with abiding. Galatians 5 teaches about the “fruit of the spirit” – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – which is what can be expected from a good “branch.”
But additionally, we are promised answered prayer “If you abide in me and my words abide in you.” Many grab this promise as a “name it-claim it” verse, but it is not. YES, our God does answer prayer, but it starts with an “IF” and abiding in the Lord and HIS WORDS in us takes focus, time, and acceptance of HIS authority in our lives and submission to Him. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) should then become as common for us as it was for Jesus, who was always talking to His Father. THEN it becomes safe for the LORD to say to the sanctified soul, “ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
Prayer: LORD, lead me to the place where I live in such harmony with You that I am bearing much fruit for Your honor and glory. Amen.