“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5
The word remain in this passage has also been translated as abide or dwell. What do those words really mean? To live in a place; to reside; to keep attention directed? These are some of the definitions.
Jesus paints simple word pictures that His listeners would understand. He told of a vine with branches growing out with such vitality that fruit grows. From the fruit of that vine, life is sustained. However, if the branch becomes detached, there will be no life and no life-giving fruit.
Dwelling with Jesus is like being a branch on that vine. When faith takes root in a heart, there is eternal connectedness. All of life flows out of Christ as He abides in us and we in Him. Yes, there may be distractions and detours along the way, but the fire of His love will draw us back to the hearth of our home in Him.
When I was just a child, my mother wrote my name in her Bible alongside of this John 15 passage. It has been a beautiful reminder to me my entire life that I am dwelling in Jesus as a branch grafted onto the one true Vine.
Jesus paints simple word pictures that His listeners would understand. He told of a vine with branches growing out with such vitality that fruit grows. From the fruit of that vine, life is sustained. However, if the branch becomes detached, there will be no life and no life-giving fruit.
Dwelling with Jesus is like being a branch on that vine. When faith takes root in a heart, there is eternal connectedness. All of life flows out of Christ as He abides in us and we in Him. Yes, there may be distractions and detours along the way, but the fire of His love will draw us back to the hearth of our home in Him.
When I was just a child, my mother wrote my name in her Bible alongside of this John 15 passage. It has been a beautiful reminder to me my entire life that I am dwelling in Jesus as a branch grafted onto the one true Vine.
Scripture Focus
John 15:1-17
Insight
“Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?/Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me.” (Henry F. Lyte, 1793-1847)
Bible In A Year
- Exodus 7-8
- Psalm 29
- Mark 9
