Without me you can do nothing
In John 15:1-10, Jesus talks of himself as the vine to illustrate his disciples’ union with him. Cut off from the main stem, the branches cannot bear fruit and will eventually die. In like manner, outside one’s intimate relationship with Jesus, one goes fruitless and without life. Pruning is an essential part of this intimate union with Jesus. This ensures that the branch, once trimmed and removed of all the elements that hinder its productivity, will bear abundant fruit. In the life of Jesus’ friends, his words serve as a pruning hook that removes away impurities. In countries where vines are grown, it can be observed that vines look ugly and seemingly stripped of life after pruning. Yet, after some time, new healthy sprouts come out, ready to flower and bear fruit. It is the same with the life of a disciple. There are pruning seasons. When the Lord prunes us, what used to be part of ourselves, yet hinder us to be fruitful, are removed from us. How willing are we to detach from ourselves what prevents us from being fruitful?
Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.