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3/25 Reading Portions: Exodus 36; John 15; Proverbs 12; Ephesians 5
John 15:5a
“I am the Vine; you are the branches.”
ATTACHED
This verse has two important parts. In the second part Jesus says,
“Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5b
This latter part speaks of abiding and fruitfulness in Christ. We can do nothing apart from the Lord Jesus Christ.
We will focus, however, on the first part today, a proposition which speaks of perspective and position. In other words, as the second part tells us that we can do nothing apart from the indwelling power and presence of Jesus Christ, the first part tells us that apart from our connection to Him, we are nothing at all. For what is a branch apart from the vine? It is merely kindling. Notice, Jesus didn’t say, “I am the root; you are the tree.” Neither did He say, “I am the tree and you are a sturdy limb.” Jesus refers to the coiling vine, and as He is the true Vine (John 15:1), as perfect Man, He did cling to the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit. We who believe in Christ are but a sprig or shoot from the tender Vine. In His first coming, Jesus was meek and lowly in heart (Matt 11:29), entering Jerusalem humbly as He rode upon the foal of a donkey (Matt 21:5). As the vine’s roots run deep into the ground, and its coiling around the trellis supports the branches so they may bud, blossom, and produce fruit, Jesus Christ’s mission as the true Vine sank deep within the earth His heavenly Father created so He could attach Himself to the cross. As the vine nourishes the attached sprig with vital sap, the true Vine shed His blood that we may flourish if we are attached to Him. Jesus is our life and our supply; and apart from Him, we are nothing. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Lord Jesus Christ, the Vine of Life,
Coil’d about Mount Calvary’s tree,
I’m fed and nourish’d by Your blood,
Spilt to save and set me free.
