Who is Jesus? Advent Day 13 The VINE

Jesus calls Himself The Vine in the gospel of John. He declares that He is the Life Source, and we are the branches. He sustains us. When we choose to abide and stay connected to the Vine, we receive all that is required to flourish and bear much fruit. The Bible is filled with analogies of the Vine. Jesus describes the Father as the Vinedresser and called Himself “The True Vine,” and we are the branches.

Here is the wild part about vines! A grapevine that is given everything it needs in abundance with no adversity or no pruning, will often grow to be a lusciously green, showy vine. With ample water, fertilized soil, and room to grow, that grapevine does just that! It develops big, gorgeous leaves, and is pleasing to the eye. BUT it won’t bear fruit, or it won’t bear abundant fruit.

Why? All of the nutrients go into the luscious leaves because it has no intense pressure to reproduce seeds through grapes because there is no threat to its survival. Take the SAME grapevine, and have it experience drought, rocky soil, cramped space, or other stresses and the vine will take all of the water, nutrients, sunshine, etc and shift its energy from creating showy, beautiful leaves to ensuring its survival by putting all of its resources into producing big, juicy delicious grapes.

The struggle, the adversity, the resistance produced something in the grapevine… fruit!Through the struggle, all of its resources shifted to the bearing of fruit. The grapevine sets its vanity aside and instead of putting on a show, it bears much fruit. The trials of this life that you have experienced were not in vain. The Lord promises in His word that what the enemy meant for evil, He will turn it for good.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Jesus uses the word “abide“ when He describes how He desires us to stay connected to the Vine. Abide can mean to follow, live, dwell, or continue without being lost. Jesus is telling His disciples how necessary it is for them to remain through it all. Then, it is followed with a promise. If you abide, live, dwell, remain, stay connected, and continue with Me, it will be given to you when you ask for something!

Jesus came to break down every barrier separating us from the Father and then connected us to fellowship with the Father again through the Vine, the mediator, Jesus Christ. The Lord Himself in flesh. Now, we can ask and receive. We can pray and be heard. We can boldly approach the throneroom of grace as sons and daughters on the same Vine. And the authority of Christ has been given to us, too. We can ask in His name and expect to see blind eyes open, deaf ears to hear, and people to be saved, set free and delivered.

During seasons of chaos, confusion, stress, and fear, we must consciously shift our resources from looking good, sane, composed, and quiet about our faith to showering people with the Lord’s love, healing, and hope. It’s time to be willing to let the showy leaves wither and the real, lasting fruit remain. It’s the fruit that continues on after the vine has withered and dies. The leaves are temporary, but the fruit carries on. The plant lives on through its fruit.

As you rise today, you can shift your resources over to bearing fruit.

Instead of sending energy to the worry train, you can captivate every thought and make it obedient to what Christ says. You will bear the fruit of peace.

Instead of sending energy to cover up your story in shame, you can boldly share your redemption story. You will bear the fruit of kindness.

Instead of filling up on social media first thing, soak in Him through scripture and prayer. You will bear the fruit of love and joy.

Instead of staying silent when a coworker is in need of encouragement, share the joy of Jesus. You will bear the fruit of faithfulness.

We can’t afford to worry about what people will think of us when we share our faith. We can’t afford to have our precious resources go to our showy leaves and our image. We have much fruit to bear for the Kingdom!“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8

Dear Lord,
I am ready to bear much fruit and leave the showy leaves behind. To bear much fruit amidst adversity, I need courage in abundance. Lord, help me be brave enough to shift my resources from the temporary things of this world to the eternal things of Your kingdom. Lord, strengthen me and put words on my tongue to share You passionately, boldly, and often! Let my life be proof of You at work in me. Let my peace be abundant and full so that I can do what You have called me to do in this very hour.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

Blessings and abiding this Christmas,

Vanessa Lynn