15‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. 2He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
Every time I hear this scripture it is a reminder to me to just hang on. It reminds me that I am to abide in Christ and he will make me fruitful. I cannot make fruit alone, just as a branch cannot make fruit or even survive without the vine.
Christ is the vine that gives us life and connects us one to another in Christian love. We are all branches in the kingdom of God. We are all hanging on for dear life in an attempt to bare good fruit for the glory of God. When you feel that you have nothing more to give, remember that Christ tells us that we are to hang on tightly to him, for in his strength and his power we will produce good fruit.
Blessings,
Pastor Mandy