John 15: 1-8
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes it so that is will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine and you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is 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 given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
A Thought
Jesus, as they travel to the Mount of Olives, warns and encourages his disciples that they must bear fruit. Jesus speaks plainly to them using a vineyard which they are very familiar with to let them know the importance to remain in Him, to live by his word and to teach others to become disciples of Jesus. Jesus explains to his disciples that they are made clean by the word He has spoken to them. The only way to his Father is to remain in Jesus because without Him we can do nothing. We must be fruitful by showing ourselves to be Christ’s disciples and to make disciples for Him. If we are not fruitful and growing in Christ, the Father will cut us off and we will be worthless. If we are growing in Christ, the Father will prune us so we will produce more fruit for his glory. When we remain in Christ and his word remains in us, we can ask what we will and he will give it to us to enable us to produce more fruit.
Our Prayer
Father we desire to be your disciple and to live the word of Jesus and give it to others that they may become your disciples. Teach us to love and obey in fellowship with you and each other. Thank you that if we remain in Christ, He will remain in us and we will bear fruit. Awaken us with your Spirit to know how to bring glory to you by producing much fruit for your Kingdom. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
