Jesus: The Great “I AM”
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5
My wife is the gardener in the family. She loves her flowers and knows what they need to survive and thrive. Her hands skillfully work at plotting, planting, and pruning. Without her loving attention her petunias, tulips, and begonias would soon wither and die. Even more so, our heavenly Father is the gardener who knows just how to care for us so that we grow and prosper spiritually under His expert care. What the Father knows is that everything depends on the sinner's connection to His Son. Tenderly, then, he has grafted us into Jesus, Who says: "I am the vine; you are the branches."
Attached to Jesus in living, Spirit-worked faith, we have already been cleansed of the rot and disease of all sin. Connection to Christ means connection to His cross. Connection to the cross means forgiveness and salvation. But the Father is also interested in growth. He wants us to bear fruit for Him, the beautiful fruit of "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23) As the branches, we draw from Jesus the necessary nutrients needed to produce this lovely fruit of faith. Jesus says, "If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." The Savior's growing power flows into us through the Gospel in Word and Sacrament. The fruit we bear is evidence that we are in Him and He is in us.
Yes, a vine bears fruit through its branches. Christ accomplishes His purposes through you and me–His believers! Our feet run for Him! Our hands work for Him! Our mouths speak His Truth! So go, my friends, and bear fruit for your Savior! Draw your strength from Jesus the Vine!
Chief of sinners though I be, Jesus shed His blood for me;
Died that I might live on high, Lived that I might never die.
As the branch is to the vine, I am His, and He is mine.
The Lutheran Hymnal 342:1