March 14, 2024
John 15: 1-8
Jesus Teaches About The Vine And The Branches, Part 1
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
REFLECTION:
Jesus used the word remain seven times in the course of these passages. Jesus really emphasized how important it is to stay in him to bear fruit. Without Jesus I cannot bear fruit. I also, learned that God will prune me to increase my fruit. God does not want fruitless trees in his garden.
APPLICATION:
Remaining in Christ means
1)Believing that He is God’s son. (1 John 4:15),
2)Receiving Him as Savior and Lord. ( John 1:12),
3)Doing what God says. (1 John 3:24)
4)Continuing to believe the gospel. (1 John 2:24)
5)Relating in love to the community of believers, Christ body. John 15:12
PRAYER:
Lord, I thank you for this word today. I pray that you help me to remain in you and not be pulled away by the distractions of life. Help me to REMAIN in you Lord so that I may bear much fruit. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.