This chapter, where Jesus discusses the vine and the branches, gives the Christian's secret of a happy and fruitful life here on earth where Jesus is visibly separate from us but spiritually within us. Again, Jesus uses a word picture that would be very familiar as vineyards were plentiful in Israel. This verse emphasizes that just as all the branches draw all their life and sustenance from the vine, so do we as disciples (as branches) draw all our life and sustenance from Jesus as He dwells in us. The trunk and the root and the branches are inseparable because they share but one life, one sap.
To "remain in Jesus" is to deliberately choose to meet each situation each day depending on His life and power in us instead of our own. It's an awareness that He is always there with us, ready and willing to help and work if we allow Him to do so. Am I going to do this my way or His way? Am I going to barge in and do this on my own or am I going to seek His will and let Him work through me as I obey Him? He calls us to love that unlovable person in our life. We can't do it on our own, but He can cause tolerance and love to grow as we ask and allow Him to love that person through us. Whatever it is that we know we should do but just can't seem to do on our own, He can do through us if we ask and allow Him. Sometimes it's not easy, but the victory in the end is worth the struggle. That's what it means to bear fruit.
A tree is known by it's fruit. We take pride in being a strong people, and there are many things we can do on our own. Independence is a popular concept. "I can do it myself. I don't need anybody or anything." We deceive ourselves if we truly believe this. Scripture teaches us that only those things we do for Christ and by His power are truly lasting. Only these have eternal value. (I Corinthians 3:10-15) Jesus said that apart from Him we could nothing, because apart from Him (the Vine) the branches cannot bear lasting fruit. As we bear fruit through Christ, we reveal His character in our life--we are being Christlike. Those around us see Him and are drawn to Him.
The following verses give some of the blessings of remaining in Jesus. We have answered prayer, we glorify God, we have a personal awareness of God's love, we have joy in the Lord, we experience the blessing of love for and from others, we are called Christ's friend, and we bear lasting fruit. (vs. 7-17) I think that sounds like a pretty great life--don't you? I'm looking forward to the wonderful summer fruits I'm beginning to see in the grocery store and markets. As we see them, let us be reminded of the fruit He wants to produce in us and that apart from Him we can do nothing!
Becky
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