May 1: You can bear much fruit!

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me… The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.  (John 15:1-5 - Holman Christian Standard Bible)

The disciples had been with Jesus for three and a half years. They had seen His miracles and heard His teachings. What do you think would have happened to them if they had decided to leave Jesus and go start a religious movement of their own? After all, they had been taught and trained in these matters. We know of course that without a close union with Jesus, they could do nothing. Their power and spiritual wisdom came from Him. He was like a vine and they were the branches. They could bear fruit only because they were connected with the life-giving vine.

This is a parable for us. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. Our responsibility and work is to bear fruit in honor of Jesus Christ. The fruit we bear is what happens in our lives because of our faith in Him. The changes He makes in us, the overcoming of problems and temptations, and the good we do — this is the fruit produced in our lives by the power of Jesus. Being a Christian is not just going to a church on Sunday and saying you believe in God. A Christian is a person who is really following the Lord Jesus and allowing Him to transform his/her life. When we become patient instead of angry, kind instead of cruel, humble instead of proud, bold instead of afraid, revolted instead of complacent; we are bearing fruit. When we pray for people in trouble, encourage others to have faith in God, give our money to help save the lost; we are producing good fruit. When we call out to God instead of calling family members after hearing bad news, believe instead of doubt, resist instead of giving in to temptation; we are producing good fruit. And when Jesus causes us to be better fathers and mothers, better wives and husbands, better students, workers and friends — that is beautiful fruit for God!

Decide you are going to be one of Jesus' branches today.