4/26 John 15:5

⁵ "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."

When we read this passage, we first see that we must derive our lives and spiritual sustenance from the Lord. That is the main point. But there is more. Jesus is the Branch of David (Isaiah 11:1-4). A descendant was called a branch of his or her ancestor. When Jesus called the disciples His branches, He was calling them His spiritual offspring and heirs.

Because Jesus is our source of spiritual nourishment and life, we need to remain in Him to bear fruit. Fruit is the result of His life in us. It is the natural product of yielding to His life-giving Word. Fruit takes time to form. It begins with a beautiful flower. The Holy Spirit pollinates the flower and it slowly matures and ripens. Its seed of new life is within. As others enjoy the fruit of Jesus in us, the seed becomes planted in them. It's a natural process. The invisible things of God are clearly seen by the things that are made (Romans 1:20).

The mistake we often make is trying to serve God with our own power and ideas. We are then like a branch without the cambium layer. Even the leaves will wither and fall off. Certainly no flowers will form. We must stay continually nourished spiritually from the life-giving sap that flows from our relationship with Jesus if we are to be fruitful and pass on the seed of life to others.

Remember: Without Him, we can do nothing of lasting significance.