Lasting Fruit

In John 15, Jesus gives a very clear illustration of our relationship with Him: we are a branch and He is the vine that holds us.  He teaches that the branch will bear much fruit so long as it remains connected to the vine.  This is a very basic agricultural principle.  We all know that a branch that has been separated from the vine will dry up and die.  It definitely will not bear fruit.  The branch needs the “life force” of the vine to be sustained and to flourish.  Likewise, we are sustained and we flourish when the life force of Jesus flows through us.

But then Jesus dares to point out the obvious: “apart from me, you can do nothing” (verse 5), and my pride is wounded!  Nothing, Lord?!  Truly, You don’t mean that!  I don’t believe You!  Nothing?!  Why, I can do so many things!  Watch me!  And I try, and I strive, and I do many things – in my own strength, apart from the vine, disconnected from God.  Yes, I can do many things on my own, but Jesus is talking about fruitfulness, and about fruit that will last. 

A branch may be cut from a vine, and it may remain green for a short while.  Placed in some water, it may even open new blossoms and thrive for a few days.  But it will not last.  I can do many things.  I can fill my whole lifetime “doing things,” chasing after accolades and accomplishments.  To what end?  At my end, they will end.  They will not last.

Thus, I must surrender and die to myself.  Lay down my pride.  Set aside my independence. Because it is the lasting fruit that I am after - the fruit of a life well-lived, the fruit that produces glory for God here on earth and treasure rewards in heaven.  This fruit I cannot create on my own.  This fruit can only come through the branches that are attached to the vine.

Jesus Himself lived according to the same principle.  A couple chapters earlier, in John 5, verse 19, He tells the Jewish leaders, “the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing.”  Even Jesus lived in obedience and submission.  He set the perfect example for us as He abided with the Father throughout His earthly life.

Tucked in near the end of the book of Hosea (14:8), I find this truth spoken by God to His people: “Your fruitfulness comes from me.”  This is humbling.  This is hard.  Like young children, we hate being told that we can’t do something on our own, or in our own way.  Our independence rises up and talks back!

Yet, the words of the Lord are kindness.  He is speaking truth to us, if we will listen.  He is laying out the order of things.  We may argue or rebel; this changes nothing.  He is teaching us how it works; the way we have been designed to bear good fruit.  And in doing so, He invites us in.  He beckons us.  He does not demand.  He is not tyrannical.

He merely explains the principle of abiding that leads to fruitfulness. Then He speaks of His love for us, and He invites us: “Remain in my love.”  The life force that flows through the vine into its branches is the powerful, sustaining, steadfast love of God.  Just as the love of the Father flowed through His Son, so, too, this love holds us close and flows powerfully through our lives – as long as we remain connected, abiding.  And when we do – reading through the rest of this passage – He promises us joy, answered prayers, and, of course, great and lasting fruitfulness.

A Prayer

Lord Jesus, I accept Your invitation to abide with You. Please help me to remain in Your love and to remember that there is nothing I can do on my own that isn’t much better when I do it with You. Thank You for Your kindness, Your patience, and Your generosity. I pray that my life will produce fruit that will last.

For Your Glory, Amen.