Jesus Christ is the Vine, and all who believe are branches. This analogy is designed to show the intimate union we have with Christ, as well as our need to remain in that union. It is similar to the other analogies used in the New Testament: Jesus is the Bridegroom, and we are the bride. Jesus is the Head, and we are the body, etc. There is a union that all believers share with Jesus, and in this chapter, the analogy describes Jesus as the Source of Life and believers as the receivers of life.
Think of the intimacy described here between “Vine” and “branch.” Think of the closeness that you can have with Jesus, the oneness, the union. This is very important, for believers are not those who are empty, lonely, unfulfilled, and unsatisfied. No, that’s a description of the world without Christ. Believers have fullness and intimacy with Jesus; we have closeness and a love relationship that is so powerful, where He keeps pouring into us!
Oh, how important this is: Jesus supplies all believers with life-giving “sap,” the nutrients that flow from the Vine to the branches. This analogy refers us to the cross where Jesus poured out His life unto death, and that life flows into all believers. The branches (believers) receive that sap (grace, truth, love, etc.) through remaining in the Vine.
This principle of abiding in Christ is truly the key to living free from sexual impurity, and all habitual sin. If we look to Jesus daily for our life, for our nourishment, for our satisfaction, we will receive from Him and delight in Him and be full in Him. Even though we will be looking at this chapter in the next few lessons, today let’s focus on Jesus as the Vine, the Life-Source for all who come to Him. The ongoing Life-Source for all who remain in Him.
Jesus died on the cross to give you life. Eternal life and abundant life. As the life flowed out of Him that dark day on Calvary, it flowed right into all who would believe and receive Him, and He becomes both life and light to us! As Jesus breathed His last breath, we breathe our first breath of new life, a life that is sustained by His Spirit.
As the Vine, Jesus gives! He gives life, sustenance, nutrition, indeed everything that is needed for us to live godly lives (2 Peter 1:3). He provides love, fullness, intimacy, satisfaction.
Question 5. According to John 15:5, what are you called?
Branches receive. Our role is to receive. We are to accept what Jesus gives, to embrace His death in our place, and to receive His life. His role is the Giver of all life; our part is to be receivers of that life. He died that we might live.
This is why our primary goal each day should be to hear from the Lord, to receive living water from the spring of grace and to drink deeply of it, through faith. For it is in this “listening to Him,” this receiving from Him, this feeding on Him that we find that He subdues our lust and gives us victory. “If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways, how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!” (Psalm 81:13-14 NIV).
The world fights from emptiness, having had to give something up, and they then miss whatever they gave up and feel lonely and depressed, sad or angry without it, like a child without its pacifier.
Believers, on the other hand, receive! We receive life and fullness, joy and satisfaction, love and intimacy, closeness and union--all from Jesus Christ, our “Vine”! We War Against the Flesh from a position of fullness!