Staying Connected

“Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4

People were amazed when they listened to Jesus.   He was the kind of teacher that got everybody’s attention. Even the officers who were sent by the chief priests to spy on Him went back to them and reported that they had never heard anyone  speak “like this Man” (John 7:40).  Well, what did He do that was so different?  He  made His hearers identify with His teaching by using  metaphors, , analogies,  and parables and made references to nature, agriculture, and fishing—things that got the attention of the people and made them understand His message.

So when He taught His disciples how to produce righteous deeds in their lives, He made an analogy to bearing fruit, an easily understandable  concept. To bear fruit,  a branch has to be attached to the tree. No branch hangs loose, becomes independent, and bears fruit by itself. The disciples could relate to that, and so can we.  If we want to have a life that is meaningful and  rich in good deeds, we must stay connected to Christ.  A simple, yet profound lesson.  Attractive, desirable character-fruit,  such as love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, faith, goodness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22, 23),  are  virtues that come from Christ, who is the true  Vine. Complete attachment  to Him, remaining in Him, and having His Spirit infusing us is like a branch getting the  life-giving sap from the  tree.

Much of what happens in our day-to-day life  tends to cut off our connection to the Source of our nourishment that can make us produce  good fruit. Let us listen and learn from our great Teacher and  stay connected to Him so that we can have the power available  only through Him  to produce  good fruit.  It is then that we will enjoy  the abundant life.

PRAYER: Lord, help us to seek You daily in Your Word and in prayer so that we will maintain the connection that will result in our bearing good fruit.

Always,

Judith

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     He  became  the true  Vine,
That we might be true branches.
Andrew Murray