I am (10) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

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.

I am (10)
The branches grow out of the stem of the vine to bear the fruit that the vine-grower awaits. If a branch is removed from the vine, the flow of the sap so vital to maintain life is interrupted, and no fruit will result.

The prophet Isaiah had already used the illustration of a vineyard to depict God's earthly people Israel. He described the assiduous care applied to ensure that a good harvest could be anticipated. But when the time for gathering arrived, the vine-grower discovered that his crop consisted of wild grapes, useless for making wine, the biblical symbol of joy. His expectation had thus been premature and vain; it turned to disappointment.

In the first verse of John 15 the Lord Jesus designates Himself as the true vine (in contrast to Israel) and goes on to speak of four stages of fruit-bearing: fruit, more fruit, much fruit, lasting fruit (vv, 2:5.6). This fruit grows out of the branches, i.e. those who enjoy a living relationship with Him. The Lord points out to His disciples that fellowship with Him must not be interrupted, otherwise the development of the fruit that is well-pleasing to Him ceases.

There are many people earnestly desirous of enjoying God's favour: at the end of their lives they would like to have His approval of their life's work. But we must all begin with the seed of new life through regeneration. The Lord Jesus once said, "Bear fruits worthy of repentance" (Luke 3:8). Repentance promotes the growth of the first buds as a sign of the fruit which will remain in eternity; it is the fruit valued by the Lord.

(to be concluded next Monday)

Today's reading: Daniel 7:1-14 · Acts 2:1-13