Our Scripture meditation to start this week is from John 15:4, the Gospel lesson for next week.
[4] 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.
Vines are just as common today as they were in Jesus’ day. This helps us understand Jesus when he uses vines and branches to teach the faith.
Grapes grow on vines. Cantaloupes grow on vines. If such fruit is separated from vine branches the fruit shrivels and dies. Fruit that stays attached to the vines ripen to maturity. This seems obvious, but is important to keep in mind to understand Jesus’ teaching in John 15:4.
Scripture clearly teaches that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ, not by or own works. (Ephesians 2:8) Yet our fallen natures have a powerful pull toward self-justification. Entire denominations teach that good works are required in some form or fashion to earn salvation.
Notice how such teaching make no sense when compared to the vine analogy. There is no evidence in nature of a ripe tomato attaching itself to a vine. Nowhere is it recorded that watermelons connect themselves to vine branches. Instead, the fruit matures to ripeness because its already attached to the vine.
Just as we are brought to faith by God, so we are also sanctified by God. This is where the analogy of the branches and fruit is most powerful. As we stay connected by faith to God, God is bringing from us good works. Abiding with Christ starts and ends with faith. Due to that faith, God bears fruit through us.
Kevin Wilson 360 