One of the great passages of scripture. Jesus uses the analogy of the vine, and we are the branches. As we are connected to Him, we produce fruit. There are substantial parts to this analogy that Jesus leans into: if you are not connected, you won’t produce fruit. So Jesus tells us to:
John 15:4
Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.
In fact He goes onto say in verse 5 “because you can do nothing without me.” And if you don’t remain in me you will wither away and later be gathered in burned in the fire. Those are powerful words, indeed.
But what caught me this morning about this text was the fruit. Again, Jesus repeats this incredible promise:
John 15:7
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you.
This is an incredible promise and is limitless in what it can produce. But why? Why Jesus? Why give us such amazing fruit? Why, if we are connected to you, can we produce such abundance?
This next verse stood out so much this morning.
John 15:8
My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.
Ah – The Father, the true farmer here, the One who owns the vineyard, He is glorified by this. When we produce much fruit, we prove to be Jesus’ disciples. I don’t know how to express what I see from this text entirely, but people who see the fruit that God produces in their lives see God. He becomes even more known to those around you, and when you are producing fruit in your life, you demonstrate and prove to be a true follower of Jesus.
We can’t produce fruit without Him. We must be connected to the vine. But when we are connected, we can ask for abundant fruit, and God is glorified by producing it through us, and we show the world that we are followers of Jesus.
Father, help me be fully connected to your Son. May many know and follow you as you work in and through my life. Jesus, I am asking for those around me to know you. May you be glorified and produce abundant fruit through my life.
