John 15:1-10 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

The last few months of her life my mom was on a respirator. Since she was not strong enough to breathe on her own without its help, staying connected to this device was no option. For a decade before this, she had been using a machine that provided oxygen to her lungs 24/7.

When Jesus used the image of a vine to describe our relationship to Him, he was utilizing a very familiar concept for vineyards were common to Israel and especially to the region around Jerusalem. Further, the vine was an emblem for the nation. Note:

Isaiah 27:6    In days to come Jacob shall take root, Israel shall blossom and put forth shoots and fill the whole world with fruit.

Psalm 80:8-11 You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land. The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches. It sent out its branches to the sea and its shoots to the River.

Isaiah 5:7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant planting; and he looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, an outcry!

The basic message is this: the key to life is remaining connected to the source. When I was a freshman in college, I was given an assignment to write a commentary on a selected passage and I chose this one. Since then, I have returned to this passage many times and, though I see fresh things every time, some remain obvious with the passing of time.

Jesus reminded his disciples that a disconnected branch would wither and die. They were those branches. Now I know that there is argument over what being “cut off” from the vine means. I do not intend to enter that fray. But it is obvious that life and sustenance are connected, and that , in order to be sustained, a flow of nourishment must be maintained.

Jesus has come to “give life”, “abundant life”, “eternal life.” The life that he offers is real life, the only true life there really is. Eternal life is not just life that lasts forever, it describes a quality of life that is heaven-focused and heaven-prepared as well as heaven-bound. Physical life is temporary and fragile. We are here today and gone tomorrow. We are a “vapor” that appears and vanishes and like grass we flourish for a season then wither and die. The Bible is full of these metaphors that remind us of the short duration and temporal nature of physical life.

Eternal life is not bound to this physical body. It is not limited to its temporal duration. It is, for the Christian, life that we have entered into now for we have (possess) eternal life. Forever has begun and physical death has no power over us because, as St. Paul puts it, “for me to live is Christ, to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Death, though still an enemy, no longer holds power over us. Death frees us to someday experience a new body and a new dimension of life we can only imagine now. We live in the light of his love and grace. The dark days of doubt, fear and despair have dissipated as the Sonlight has dispelled them.

“Abide in me” is the concept that reappears in these verses no less than eight times. Lifelessness is barren (no fruit), unproductive (without me you can do nothing), worthless (thrown away and withers), futile (thrown into the fire and burned), and empty (unanswered prayer and no proof of discipleship). Jesus has told this so that “my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” There is joy in knowing that we have “abundant life.” There is joy in knowing that “he will never leave us nor forsake us.” There is joy in knowing “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

The ESV Study Bible note on John 15:4 states, “Abide in me means to continue in a daily, personal relationship with Jesus, characterized by trust, prayer, obedience (see v. 10), and joy.

How is eternal life maintained? By simply staying connected to Jesus. Relationship is the key. Are you “in Christ”? Do you maintain the vital connection to him that is needed to sustain you, to protect you, to nourish you and to help you? Is he “your go-to guy”? Is he your “all-in-all”? Does the thought of him bring a smile to the lips, a leap in your step, a flutter to your heart, and a calm assurance to your mind? Does he “light up your life”? When you are connected to Christ, he is an integral part of your life. Every thing you do, everywhere you go, everything you say, every part of your life is affected by your relationship to him. He is your constant companion, your friend that is closer than a brother, the one on whom you can rely.

“The proof is in the pudding.” Grandma was right. The evidence that a connection exists between us and Christ is “fruit” (mentioned seven times). Bearing fruit is the result of following Christ (verse 8). It seems that this fruit refers to the product of godly living.

In Matthew 3:8 john tells the Pharisees and Sadducees to “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Jesus tells his disciples that they will recognize false prophets by their fruit (either their lifestyle or their teachings or both) in Matthew 7:16-20. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul talks of the fruit of the Spirit, which he defines as virtues of character which are the result of of living in the light in Ephesians 5:9. In Philippians 1:11 he prays that believers will be filled with the “fruit of righteousness.” So, although bearing fruit may refer to influencing others to join the kingdom, the primary emphasis seems focused on a lifestyle that reflects the Christian virtues which testify to a relationship with Christ.

There is an expected progression from fruit to more fruit through the process of pruning (verse 2) and from more fruit to much fruit through the process of answered prayer (verses 7-8).

All of this reveals the genuine nature of your relationship of abiding in Christ. So, are you maintaining your connection to the source?