Jesus IsSample

Jesus is the True Vine

From the trunk of a tree, the branches grow. The branches are connected to the trunk and depend on the trunk to be nourished and produce fruit. If a branch is not connected to the trunk, it cannot produce fruit and it will begin to die from lack of sustenance. In the same way, we as followers of Jesus are considered branches and He is the True Vine from which we grow.

Our ability to grow and produce fruit in our lives depends on abiding in Jesus. Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. By abiding in Him, we have an abundance of life and nutrition to grow in our relationship with Him and begin to produce the fruits of good works for God in our lives. God promises to prune us so that we can produce even more fruit. These fruits include good works done for God as well as the characteristics that the Spirit cultivates in our lives. Sometimes, pruning can be painful as it requires. God to remove things in our lives that are ultimately not good for us. While pruning is not always easy, it is for our own good so that we can continue to be fruitful branches of Christ.

As Christ's followers, we are designed to grow and do good works. Through abiding in Jesus, who is the True Vine, we can live as the people who God created us to be and do good works for God in our lives. John 15:9-10 tells us that to abide, we are to remain in His Love through obedience. Out of our love for Jesus, we obey His commands and have joy. The life of a branch looks like total dependence on Jesus. We trust Him and obey what He tells us because we know it’s for our own nourishment and growth.