In Him

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. [John 15.1-4]

It stands out to me today that the pruning of branches Jesus speaks of occurs through the message of Jesus. God's Word, Jesus, prunes us so that we might bear fruit.

If we are not bearing fruit, the solution is simply to immerse ourselves in the Good News and works of Jesus.

We cannot survive without God's Word. We cannot survive without Jesus.

But it is about more than just survival. Otherwise, all we would need is to receive the "life" from the vine of Jesus. But we must bear fruit. That fruit is the duplication and continuance of the life of Christ:

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” [John 20.21]

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

What IS the life-force of Jesus (and therefore of us)?

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.” [Luke 4.18-19]

If our lives are not entirely wrapped up in Christ, then something is wrong.

Father, help us to understand that our life is connected to Jesus - the Word. Help us to understand the His life is expressed through us...