Bearing Fruit 3

John 15:5

Recently I was thinking about a job I had as a consultant doing corporate training. Along with the challenges of knowing the material and dealing with all the many people I encountered, one of the hardest things about the job was that I was out on my own quite a bit. I had very little connection with the training manager and other consultants in my own department.

It was difficult to face each day of work without that connection, without being constantly rooted in the support of my manager and co-workers.

Jesus addresses this issue with his disciples. What does Jesus say of himself? What are the disciples? What are we? What can we do without being rooted in Christ?

As we look at the fruit of our efforts, the many things we do to share God’s love in the world and do good things for others, we must remember where our connection lies. Jesus is the vine of faith. He is the source of our love and ability.

The disciples were the branches that sprang forth from Jesus. Their work was an off-shoot, a growth that came from the goodness of Jesus. And the same is true of us. We are simply the branch that emanates from Christ.

As we share love and compassion with other people, as we work to help the needy and care for people less fortunate than ourselves, we must remember that we should remain rooted in Christ. All that we do should be a reflection of the love that Jesus has for all humanity. Our work should be based in the caring that Christ had.

When we are able to remain rooted in the vine of Jesus then our offerings will be acceptable. If we keep ourselves connected to the love of Christ then we will be doing what is right.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you remain rooted in Christ?

Work 3

John 15:5

Clearing away clinging weeds in our garden several years back I was struggling at getting all the tendrils and branching vines pulled from the plants we wanted to keep. Then it dawned on me that all I needed to do was pull out the root of the weeds – easy to find – and that would kill the weed, even all the vines that were intertwined among the good branches of the plants.

Without the source of food and strength in the root the rest of the plant could not survive. And so it goes with our faith.

What comparison does Jesus make of himself? What happens with the faithful person who remains rooted in Jesus? What happens if we do not keep our faith in Christ?

It is a simple fact of nature that a plant draws its strength and nourishment from the root system. It is the root that gives the food and energy, and therefore the ability, to the rest of the plant. With strong and functioning roots a plant may produce a great deal of fruit.

If we are to produce fruit in our faith – fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience and kindness (see Galatians 5:22-23) – then we must remain rooted in Jesus. Jesus is the vine from which we branch out. Following the teachings of Christ and acting in the same way that Jesus did allows us to grow as good Christians and enables us to produce the fruit of our faith.

When we look intently into the perfect law of God, when we study Scripture and spend time in study, fellowship and communion with one another and God, then we are able to live out a life as a Christian. We are strengthened in faith and ability.

Without Christ, without that spiritual root that gives us power in our faith and guidance in our actions, we can do nothing. And if we continue reading in this passage of John to verse 8 we will see that it is to God’s glory that we bear much fruit and show the world that we are truly deserving of the title “Christian.”

DAILY CHALLENGE: Are you rooted in Christ? What part of your connection to the Lord needs strengthening?

Who Do You Say I Am? 5

John 15:5

One of the ornamental trees we planted a few years back had a large portion broken away by the wind. Driving past with the mower on another occasion caught a branch and pulled it away further from the main part of the tree. Now, that section of the tree is dead, the leaves brown, the branches brittle.

Without being connected to the root system of the tree those branches could not survive.

In John’s version of the Last Supper Jesus presents the disciples with a clear image of who he is and how these devoted followers relate to him. To what does Jesus compare himself? To what does he compare the disciples? How does a believer bear fruit? What happens if a person is not rooted in Jesus?

Just as the vine is strong and a provider of the nourishment the branches require, Jesus is the base of our strength. He provides spiritual food for our souls, spiritual energy to do what is right and holy. The branches of a plant are meant to grow out from the main vine, reaching to distant places, creating good things on their own. Yet they maintain that connection to the vine.

We too are called to reach out into the world and bring forth good things, acts of kindness and love and mercy. But our actions are not done on our own nor are they based in our own motivation and understanding. We must remain connected to Jesus, keeping our souls and minds rooted in Christ’s goodness.

This simple image creates a clear picture for those who follow Christ. He is the vine and all who obey his teachings and emulate his life are like the branches. If we can remain connected to Jesus, keep him as a centerpiece to who we are and what we do, we can bear fruit – that is, we can do good things that bring honor to God.

Jesus is the source of that ability to do good and right things. Jesus is the source of strength that can help us weather the difficulties and challenges of life. Living on our own, disconnected from the goodness that is Jesus, we can accomplish nothing. Removing ourselves from this source of strength and spiritual sustenance will leave us as dried up and useless branches, unable to accomplish the good we are called to produce.

Who do you say Jesus is? Is he the vine in your spiritual life which allows you to bear good fruit?

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you remain rooted in Jesus?