YWOP - Meeting 6 "I am the true Vine"

What a strange thing to say, the Vine? When I think of Vines I think of Tarzan swinging of hanging vines in the jungle. This is definitely not the reference Jesus was making when he spoke about being the True Vine. Check out this video below, and then we'll have a closer look what he meant when these words were spoken in John 15.

Jesus said he was the True Vine, or the stock tree, and we are the branches to be grafted on. Notice how Juan had carefully cut both the scion (branch) and stock tree to allow the grafting to lock in together? Well same thing applies to us. When it comes to committing to a relationship with Jesus, we are saying that we are ready to "cut off" things in our lives in our to join with Him, who has already made the necessary sacrifice for us to join. The cut is precise and is especially designed for you to fulfill.

From here fruit will grow because of our union with the stock tree. You see, the stock tree is sturdy, is able to withstand the onslaught of seasonal conditions, and also has stronger immunity to bugs and diseases. Likewise, our relationship to Christ, there is nothing that comes from us, it all flows from the nutrients supplied by Him to us, that we may produce fruit.

What is this fruit? Galatians 5:22 says "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Notice how this is one fruit that provides all these attributes. We are left with no excuses when we join in a relationship with Christ. We can not say, oh I have love and joy, but the others I don't, and I've been like this my whole life, I can't change. When you've been grafted, these things should have been cut off, and you now receive your life blood from another source, the true vine.

"I am the true vine, with me you can do nothing", absolutely nothing. A scion sitting by itself produces nada, but the one who attaches himself to the one who says he will give us life abundantly will produce fruit beyond measure. Isn't it your desire to be a person who is able to bless others with good fruit? Your family, friends, even strangers. Then start there, begin with going to the true vine who has especially cut wedge just for you.

Shalom,

Dave