I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5 NASB)
Jesus uses a simple illustration of a branch remaining in a vine to reflect our relationship to Him. As a branch derives its life from the vine, our life finds its source in Christ. As branches naturally sprout fruit, so our abiding in Christ naturally results in fruit too. In fact, God desires we bear much fruit, and so prove to be Christ’s disciples.
Christ showed us the way of abiding through prayerful communion with God. Interestingly, the nourishment of the branches flows from an internal invisible reality only made evident by fruit. Jesus lived this way with the Father, ceaselessly open and receptive to God’s unseen, varied communications and promptings. The life of God flowed freely through Jesus. Consequently, Jesus bore much fruit. Likewise, the life of Christ needs to flow through us in rich communion with Him. Not just prayer, but listening; not just openness, but expectation of His real and experienced presence. Fruit, then, makes visible our invisible communion with Him, proving our discipleship to Him. Interior, perceiving prayer provides the key.
God desires you to enjoy the communion and presence of the Trinity as much as He does.
For Reflection:
“And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.”” (Exodus 33:14 NAS95)
- How have you thought about the meaning of abiding in Christ? What has your experience of abiding been like?
- What things might you do that would allow you to experience abiding in Christ at greater depths?
