We love the great “I Am” declarations in the Gospel of John and well we should. They not only identify Jesus as God, they declare something of His character and His activity on our behalf. When I read John 15:5—“I am the vine; you are the branches”—I am overwhelmed by the intimacy of the vine and the branch.
The relationship between vine and the branch is so close that the vine “abides” in the vine. Equally amazing is the fact that the vine and its indwelling branches are superintended by the Father (v. 1). Our Father loves us so much He personally overseas the condition of our life in Christ.
Everything the Father does to and for the branches is designed to enable us to bear much fruit. When we bear spiritual fruit, we “prove” ourselves to be Jesus’ disciples and we glorify the Father (v. 8).
The connection between vine and branch is so intimate that the branch can do “nothing” apart from the vine (v. 5). We like to believe that we could do some things apart from Him and that we only need to turn to Him when we encounter the difficult challenges. The Christian life, however, is one that is wholly dependent on the life that flows through the vine.
Prayer: I confess that often I try to please you in my own strength. Forgive me. May I learn to abide in You today and every day. Amen.