Jesus said “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

I don’t know if there were any vinedressers among those who followed Him, but I’m betting that this was a familiar concept even for the fishermen.

In the picture you see a large trunk rising up from the ground. That’s the vine. In comparison to the branches it’s huge! Through it comes all the nutrition and strength the branches need to produce the tasty fruit enjoyed in many ways.

If the vinedresser inadvertently snipped one of those branches loose from the vine before the fruit was set, there would be no fruit. If the snip happened after the fruit had begun to fill out, the grapes would shrivel and rot.

We are the branches. As long as we remain fully attached to our Vine, we will grow luscious and delightful fruit. Our fruit will be disciples growing into the likeness of Christ who then begin to bear their own fruit.

Imagine, Branch, that your life produces people who love Jesus and serve Him with their whole heart, mind, soul, and strength in the same measure as the grapes on a branch.

And imagine that happening every growing season through your life.

Pretty incredible, huh?

Starting today, let’s become cognizant of our attachment to Christ. Is it weak and wobbly or is it strong and steady? Is it every moment of every day?

If we’re not attached as we should be, let’s make the changes we need to in order to become that high-production branch. We have friends and neighbors who desperately need us to do so.

Coffee, Bible, Journal.