This is the season of fresh, juicy strawberries. Few things are as tasty as vine-ripened fresh fruit.
John 15:1–5 “I [Jesus] am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Jesus used the analogy of the vine, branches, and fruit (grapes) in describing what a life of following Christ is like. Several things are quite clear from this simple analogy. First, branches get their life from the vine. If unconnected to the vine, there is no life and no fruit. Second, the fruit is the natural result of the branch being connected to the vine – not because the branch is so amazing. The secret lies in being connected to the vine – the Source of life, Jesus Christ. When we stay connected to the Source of life, it flows through us and produces sweet fruit that will bless and be enjoyed by others.
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