“Apart
From Me You Can Do Noting”
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If
you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can
do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is
thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and
burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever
you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory,
that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John
15:5-8
A thrift-store bargain, the lamp
seemed perfect for my home office—the right color, size, and price. Back at
home, however, when I plugged in the cord, nothing happened. No light. No
power. No juice.
No problem, my husband assured me.
“I can fix that. Easy.” As he took the lamp apart, he saw the trouble
immediately. The plug wasn’t connected to anything. Without wiring to a source
of power, the “perfect” pretty lamp was useless.
The same is true for us. Jesus told
His disciples, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I
in you, you will bear much fruit.” But then he added this reminder: “Apart from
me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
This teaching was given in a
grape-growing region, so His disciples readily understood it. Grapevines are
hardy plants, and their branches tolerate vigorous pruning. Cut off from their
life source, however, the branches are worthless deadwood. So
it is with us.
As we remain in Jesus and let His
words dwell in us, we’re wired to our life source—Christ Himself. “This is to
my Father’s glory,” said Jesus, “that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves
to be my disciples” (v. 8). Such a fruitful outcome needs daily nourishment,
however. Freely, God provides it through the Scriptures and His love.
So plug in and let the juice flow!
What
does it mean for you to remain in Jesus? How has He equipped you to bear fruit
for Him?
All-powerful
God, empower me to remain in You
and allow Your loving Word to yield good fruit in me.
Our
Daily Bread – March 29, 2020