“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.” John 15:1
August 29, 2025
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was only a few hours away. Jesus comes again to the “I am” of His true identity. He is the light, the door, the Good Shepherd, the resurrection and the life, and the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus now turns to horticulture: the vine and the branches. To be in the vine (in Christ) is to be in union with Him. The result of this union is fruitfulness. The Christian life is not merely the imitation of Christ. It is participation in Christ (Phil. 1:21, “For me to live is Christ”). The question is, what kind of disciple am I? To be connected to the Vine is to bear the fruit of a transformed life. This will necessitate trials (“pruning” 15:2). Difficulties come so that we can love the Lord and one another more. Abiding is obeying God’s commandments. The secret of discipleship is to cultivate an abiding relationship with our Teacher-Savior. Are you a more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind disciple than you were a year ago? Harmful things must be cut away. The Word of God does the cleansing. How concerned am I for those who don’t know Christ?
H
“Thank you, Father, for joining me to you. I trust you, Lord, to remove those hindrances that keep me from loving the people in my life more. I want to bear more fruit in my life before I see you.”