October 13, 2012 Jesus the Real Vine

Jesus the Real Vine John 15:4 A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me. FRUIT is a wonderful image for the results of your work in God’s kingdom. Ripe fruit, grown properly with the proper nutrients and pruning is a juicy, tasty and colorful food. And fruit is fragile. For example, oranges have to grow on a particular root stock to protect the tree from disease that comes from the soil. Or, too much rain at the wrong time can ruin a strawberry crop. And if the temperatures are too cold in Wisconsin during apple blossom time, the crop is reduced and less vital. The vitality and bounty of “kingdom fruit” can easily be reduced or negated when you attempt life “your way” without God’s nutrients. Life can look good for a time—even for many years. But if you are living life outside the vine, away from Jesus’ teaching and his will, then your fruit—your work—will be tasteless and colorless. There will be no lasting nourishment in the work you have done. (Check out the book of Ecclesiastes and see how Solomon felt about life when he took his eyes off God.) When you focus on Jesus, you have the proper nutrients to develop healthy spiritual lives. He is the vine that brings the right nutrition to your life. He holds you up to absorb the sunshine of God’s blessings upon you. Living in faith everyday is staying connected with Jesus. Absorb the life he offers to you. Root your life in the true vine, and bear fruit for his Kingdom. It’s True!: You can be fruitful for your Lord Jesus.