Living Connected to Jesus

In the Gospel of John 15, Jesus presents a narrative in which He identifies Himself as the vine and His followers as the branches that grow from it. This beautiful illustration teaches us that Jesus is the source of everything; therefore, having a relationship with Him, maintaining a connection to Him, and remaining inseparable from Him are imperative.

John 15:1-5 (ESV) states:

“I 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.”

The word abide means to stay in a given place, state, relationship, or expectation. It conveys the ideas of continuing, dwelling, enduring, remaining, standing firm, and being present.

In verse 1, we see through this analogy the divine order of things. God is the owner of the vineyard, represented as the vinedresser. The term vinedresser refers to a vine-grower, farmer, or caretaker of a vineyard. Jesus identifies Himself as the true vine. The true vine represents the manifestation and fulfillment of God’s divine plan for mankind. Jesus is the source and access point established by the Father through whom mankind may have a relationship with God.

Jesus is declaring that He is the only access point to the Father. John 14:6 provides further clarity:

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

There is only one way to access God, and that is through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, Jesus expands upon this point in verses 4 and 5 by repeatedly commanding His disciples to abide in Him. Let me pause here for a moment and show you what abiding in Jesus looks like.

Consider the relationship between a child and a parent. It begins with the parent loving, caring for, protecting, and providing for the child. The child is completely dependent upon the parent for everything. This relationship begins with love from the parent, and through that love, the child learns to trust and love the parent. By depending upon and trusting the parent, the child abides in the parent. The child grows and learns by following the example set before him or her.

Likewise, abiding in Jesus produces spiritual results. By abiding in Christ, we learn to trust and love God through His Son. As we abide in Him, we develop a deeper relationship with Him. Jesus stated in Matthew 11:29:

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

Abiding in Jesus means living your life in continual fellowship with Him. You are invested in prayer, reading and studying God’s Word, and meditating upon it daily. It is not a “drive-by” relationship where you visit Jesus only on Sunday morning during worship service or during midweek Bible study. Rather, every day you commune with Him through study and prayer.

Your priorities are guided by the Word of God. You place Him first in your life. As Matthew 6:33 states:

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

As a result, you produce fruit (results for the Kingdom of God). Your entire nature is transformed and brought into alignment with the divine nature of Jesus Christ. The more you abide in Him, the more your character reflects His character, your desires reflect His desires, and your life bears fruit that glorifies God.

Adide in Jesus by staying connected to Him