The Great Connection

If you’ve ever been to a vineyard, you know they are not only beautiful but also amazing. Imagine rows upon rows of grapevines planted on hills. Their fruits are harvested and sold as grapes, grape juice, wine, raisins, jam, jelly, and various products.

Jesus often used real-life examples to explain spiritual truths, and in John 15, the vineyard was central to His analogy:

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." John 15:4

In this passage, Jesus clearly states that the Son is the vine; the Father, God, is the gardener; and we, His people, are the branches that thrive or die depending on our connection to the source.

You can also think of it this way:

A phone will not work if it is not connected to a power source. But when connected to a charger that is plugged into a more powerful electrical source, your device will continue to function as intended by the manufacturer.

Conversely, a branch (or a phone) severed from its source cannot continue to bear fruit (or send messages). Such a branch cannot sustain life because it is cut off from the source of life. The same thing happens to us.

If we want to live a life that points to God, glorifies Him, and exalts Him, then we must be connected to Christ.

How can we be connected to Him?

Jesus says that we abide in His love when we keep God’s commandments, just as He keeps His Father’s commandments and abides in His love (see John 15:9-10).

This is not a formal surrender but trusting the One who wants to give us life. A relationship with Him is the best relationship possible.