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The image of a vine would have been familiar to Jesus’ disciples. It had been used for centuries in the stories of the Old Testament. Israel, God’s special possession, had been planted like a vine that was supposed to bear good fruit. But time and again Israel produced bad fruit: ‘He looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, an outcry!’ (Isaiah 5.7, ESV ). God’s people had not been faithful to him but had gone their own way. So those listening to Jesus’ words knew: a story about God’s people as a vine in God’s vineyard tended to end in disappointment.
Thankfully, as a glorious break from the usual pattern, Jesus declared himself to be the true vine. Where God’s people failed to live as they were supposed to, Jesus stepped in and took their place, doing perfectly what they couldn’t, bringing justice and righteousness on their behalf.
This has stunning implications that echo Jesus’ statements in John 14.6: ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ It’s only through Jesus that we can become branches on the true vine. We’re totally reliant on him and we must abide in him. As Jesus says, ‘apart from me you can do nothing’ (John 15.5).
If we reject Christ as our vine – the only one who can reconcile us to God, the source of life – even the best things we do and all the fruit we produce will amount to nothing. A branch broken off from the vine withers and ends up in the fire!
It’s fantastic news that Jesus has taken the place of the true vine and given us, his branches, access to the Father. But may we never become complacent, trusting in ourselves, believing we’re righteous in our own strength. History and God’s word tell us this is a delusion that always ends in disappointment. Praise the Lord that in Christ we can bear good fruit that glorifies God.
Take action:
What do you do in a typical day or week to ‘abide in Christ’? Do you feel connected to the vine or like a withering branch, battling to bear godly fruit in your own strength?
Read Galatians 5.16–26. This passage acknowledges the battle between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the [Holy] Spirit, comparing the fruit they produce in our lives. Reflect on the evidence of this struggle in your life and take encouragement from verses 22–25, knowing that those who belong to Christ have ultimately crucified the flesh and can ask the Holy Spirit for help to ‘keep in step’ with him.
This reflection was written by Leonie Dorland, from the Bible Engagement team at Bible Society.
If you have two minutes: Listen to the audio reflection and ponder how it might be relevant in your life.
If you have up to ten minutes: Read the Bible passage and listen to the audio reflection; you might want to keep a small journal, or note on your phone, to jot down words and phrases that jump out at you. Finish with a brief prayer to put what you have read and heard into practice.
What if I miss a day(s)?: Don’t worry, life happens! Just pick up the devotional again on the current day, and, if you wish, you can use the space for reflection on Sundays to listen to those reflections you may have missed.
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