"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).
Tree grafting is a process where a weaker root is conjoined with a more firmer root stock to yield a more enduring and productive plant. This art of horticulture farming has been traced back 4,000 years ago to ancient China and Mesopotamia. The major benefits are a new plant with a certain characteristic of the rootstock - for example, hardiness, drought tolerance, or disease resistance.
When Christ says, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me" (vv 4), he is emphasizing for us to be productive in our Christian lives we must be rooted in him like grafted plants.
Further, the Lord points out, "If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned" (vv 6). But more importantly, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples" (vv 7-8).
Not all tree plants are grafted necessarily and can do well. However, those that are grafted certainly do much better. When our lives are not rooted in Christ we can get by. But once we are rooted in Christ we are even more fruitful.
Today, may we be grafted in Christ, that we may be firmer, more enduring and productive in our Christian lives.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as your word says if we are rooted in you we bear lasting fruits, I pray that I am ever grafted in you for your glory, this I pray in Jesus's name.
Related upcoming events
-
28/04/2024 - 29/04/2024 All day"The Lord is my shepherd!" (Psalm 23:1)
Psalm 23 of David is perhaps one of the best prayers ever written, with nuggets and inspirations, of benefit to us since and
ever before. “The LORD is my shepherd, “David begins.” I lack nothing” (vv 1). What is it that you lack? In his life David had started out as a shepherd, and he knew very well, that a shepherd’s job is to watch over his sheep, feed and water them, and since the Lord is our shepherd, we his sheep shall lack nothing.Verse 2 -3 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” This exactly what a good shepherd does; he takes his sheep to the best fodder, ensuring that his sheep are well fed and rested. When the sheep are restless the good shepherd is troubled. Our God desires and is pleased when we are at peace.
Sometimes we may all find ourselves going through a storm. In Verse 4- 5, David says, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The Christian life is not without difficulties, but here David points us to God as our comforter and deliverer. We always have the staff of prayer to lean on.
In Verse 5, he writes, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” In his tumultuous life, David had to battle with many enemies, ranging from King Saul, to foreigners and members of his own family. He knew a lot about betrayal. And, we too, may face enemies no less, from those that oppose us in our workplace for their ambition’s sake, to those who are not pleased because of the Gospel we preach. Yet here, just as David, we are assured that victory is on our side- this is why our cup overflows.
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (vv 6). The one who walks with God has a fresh smile ever, for God is with him. The blessings of God are with him wherever he goes.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham,
maker of heaven and earth, as David prayed in Psalm 23, may I not be troubled, for you are my shepherd ever watching over me and your goodness goes ahead of me!
