John 15

The analogy of a fruitful grapevine in John 15 has stirred me from early-on to practically draw on His marvelous sufficiency day by day in order to live life from Him and for Him and to Him (Romans 11:36).

God the Father is the Vintner. This vintner works with vines as a passion, not just as an occupation. He sets each vine and branch exactly where He wants, crossbreeding and growing prize grapes. When the vintner finishes, he stands back, delighted at the work of his hands. This is a picture of the Father’s passionate heart delighting in His children and working with us for our best. He’s so far beyond what we can conceive.

God the Son is the Vine. The very life of the vine surging through the branches provides all that is needed for life and delectable fruit. Get in touch with Jesus’ generous heart for His branches. Are you amazed and overwhelmed yet by the profuse outpouring of the fully satisfying provision of Jesus in your life? He’s the Vine; we’re the branches. He supplies; we open ourselves to receive. Jesus is “for” us…always!

We are the branches. The world tries to define people based on what they do or have or what others think of them. Instead, Jesus calls us branches, little sticks of wood, not very impressive in ourselves. The power and life of the Vine, however, is perfected through the weakness and interdependence of the branch. This Big God created us as His image-bearers (Genesis 1:26-28). Through faith in Christ, He now re-creates us in Christ for the one purpose of fruit-bearing flowing out of intimacy. Fruit is always for others, and God changes us in the process.

Our one response is to abide. Abide (“remain” NIV) means to make our permanent home in Jesus. As branches, we receive everything we need for life and for godliness as we burrow the roots of our lives deeply into Him (2 Pt 1:2-3). We are “in Christ” and “Christ in us” (Jn 15:4).

The process of fruit, more fruit and much fruit. Our all-in connection with the True Vine channels the life-giving nutrients of the sap into us. Fruit grows through us so we can pass it along (an allusion to the Spirit).

1.      Fruit of LifeChange through God’s Word and prayer. Notice the organic union between abiding in the Word and growing (7-8, and Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the Spirit).

2.      Fruit of abiding in His love (9-10). Again, God inseparably links obedience with love so we make our home in His first-love.

3.      Fruit of joy. Joy authenticates our true abiding (11).

Ironically, every generation attempts in its own way to dim the dazzling brightness of the Good News of grace. It simply seems too good to be true. Courageously embrace all that God has freely provided.

This is Reflection #22 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com