I AM: Who Jesus Is Changes EverythingSample

The Vine
A leaf is dependent on the branch to which it is attached to provide its necessary nutrients, and the branch is dependent on the tree, whose roots sink deep into the ground and soak up what it needs in order to thrive. As followers of Christ, we are similarly dependent on Jesus to give us what we need to experience life. In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches” Apart from Him, we do not have any true life. Therefore, we must place our trust in Him, becoming united with Him so that we are saved and kept eternally secure.

But we still need to depend on Jesus, even after coming to faith. Without Christ, we cannot do anything (John 15:5b). We need Jesus to give us strength, wisdom, and guidance so that we can live the Christian life well and glorify God through our actions. We need Jesus so that we can bear fruit and show the world around us that we belong to the Lord. Yet we are often prone to look to ourselves, thinking we can muster up the strength we need on our own to be faithful to the Lord. But this can easily lead to burnout. We make mistakes, and we listen to our own wisdom that leads us astray rather than the Lord’s wisdom that keeps us walking in His ways.

So let us then continue clinging to our Vine. Let us depend on Jesus to give us what we need. Let us remain obedient to Him no matter what we may experience. As we live in this way, we will bear fruit for the Lord by producing actions that are honorable and glorifying to Him. And the more we bear fruit for the Lord, the more we will be a witness to those around us of the life that comes from the Lord that enables us to truly flourish.

Reflect and Respond

What does it look like for you to daily depend on Jesus?