“Yes, 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.” John 15:4
There are so many great things that we can do with our lives. We can take care of people, tell people about the Bible, show God’s love to people around us, and much more. These are all great things. But, of all the things we can do with our lives, the greatest thing we can do is spend time with Jesus. Here at Sagebrush, we talk all about knowing Christ. As we spend more time with Jesus praying and reading our Bible, we will know Christ on a deeper level. Knowing Christ is the greatest thing we can do with our lives.
Jesus taught His disciples the importance of spending time with Him in John 15. In this chapter, He taught them to “remain” in Him. This interaction took place shortly before His death on a cross. He wrote, “Yes, 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” (verse 4). His message was clear. In light of His impending death, they were to “remain” in Him just as branches remain on a vine if they want to grow and live. Jesus is the source of life and growth for everyone, including you and me.
After reading this instruction from Jesus in John 15, you probably have the same question that I do. What does it look like for us today to remain in Jesus? In Luke 10, which we looked at earlier this week, Mary is a great example. She sat at Jesus’ feet and listened as He taught. We can follow her example and spend time with Jesus reading our Bibles, listening to worship songs, listening to sermons, attending church, and living in community with other Christ-followers. All of these things are part of remaining in Christ. As we move toward Jesus, He also moves towards us, and we grow.
Take strides today to know Christ. Listen to a sermon, pray, and specifically, take time to be still before God and listen to Him and what He might be teaching you. Get to know Him even more. Then, look for opportunities to make Him known to the people around you.
John 15:1-17 (NLT)
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
“Yes, 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. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.
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