Together - Daily DevotionalSample

I am the Vine

Reading: John 15:1-8

Key Verse: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” v.5

Vines were common then in Israel, but rare even now in the UK! So we need to think about this illustration if we are to fully understand and be inspired by it. When Jesus spoke of Himself as the shepherd and us as the sheep He talks about two separate but linked beings – Him and us. The picture of the vine is different. The branches are not just linked to the vine – they are united to the vine as part of it. From biology we understand that all the goodness of the vine itself flows into the branches to produce fruit. All the goodness of Jesus flows into us to produce lives just like His that reflect the glory of God and bring acceptance, compassion, love, joy and healing to others. 

This is the unparalleled claim and wonderful mystery of our Christian faith – “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col.1:27). The apostle Paul continues this theme in Galatians 2:20, “Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”

Prayer: Jesus I rejoice that I do not just believe in You, but that by Your Holy Spirit You live in me!