Christ invites us to look at our relationship with Him in many different ways. In the bible there are several agricultural metaphors. One of my favorite metaphors is being a branch. In John 15:5, Jesus illustrates our complete dependence on Him in that a branch can’t do anything if it’s not securely attached to the vine. Now to some folks this may be an insult. After all, society reinforces DIY! Ok, I must confess I learned what this stands for three days ago in a counseling session with a teenager. So for those of you who don’t know, it stands for Do It Yourself. This motto seems to dominate all we do.
When you meet someone for the first time you are not likely to hear, “so, who are you dependent on?” In my field, the very thought of dependence is frowned upon. Many books have been written on how to free yourself from all dependence. This is why so many people are turned off by the idea of submission to God’s will over their own. Surrender is a prerequisite to accessing God’s promises.
In this scripture, Christ shares a hidden ‘IF’ that allows us to be abundantly productive and blessed. We learn that God the Father is the Vinedresser, Christ the Messiah is the True Vine and we are the branches. Essentially, we get to produce fruit in the strength of God, we don’t DIY! I would encourage you to unpack all of Chapter 15, it’s well worth it. You will find many more ‘ifs’ when you do. Please comment on what He shows you so we can all grow.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NKJV)
