'I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5, NIV

 

Being connected to others is an essential part of life from our first meeting, as a baby with our mothers, and each relationship we enter into after that. Isn’t it important for us to know the warmth and security of deep roots and sound connection of being part of a family, having a home, and having friends who help us feel loved and accepted? These attachments are God-given and enable us to interact in our world.

 

It’s important to be close to the key people in our lives and know the delight of togetherness, but not to the exclusion of others. Where and how we are connected affects our sense of who we are and our well-being; wherever we’re connected – in the family, church, school, club, team, or neighbourhood, we have a role.

 

Some connections are good and add quality to our life and relationships, but unwise connections can harm, even destroy, our peace – and our sense of fulfilment in the world – alienating us, and leaving us desolate, because that was not what we were created for. Deep down, each person has a need to know their Creator and to be connected to others; to make sense of who they are, where they fit into the world, and experience the fulfilment of true bonds.

 

Jesus came to earth to fulfil this need through His love. Although there are many verses in the Bible about being connected – to God, to wisdom, to each other – which we shall explore this month, Jesus’ picture of connection in our verse today is simple, yet profound.

 

He uses the metaphor of a vine to paint the picture of a dynamic, fertile relationship that God tends. The vine joined to its branches shows how Jesus and His followers are integrally connected under the care of God, the gardener (John 15:1) highlighting their unity. The image of the luxuriantly green leafy branches reaching out in readiness for the promised fruit completes this fulfilling picture.

 

God is with us, intimately connected through Jesus. He doesn’t just look on from afar. We can know where we’ve come from, what our purpose is on earth, and bear abundant fruit when we’re connected to Him.

 

Jesus invites each person to recognise their need to remain in Him, and to experience abundant fruitfulness.