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Only a Branch

John 15:5 "I am the vine, ye are the branches."

These words were spoken by the Lord Jesus during His earthly ministry approximately 2000 years ago. They were powerful and meaningful then as they still are today in this self-sufficient and independent society in which we live. In those few words there are revealed numerous precious truths, which we can enlarge on:

-          The necessity for humility.

-          The joy and liberty of dependance.

-          The restful trust of being sustained.

-          The guaranteed flow of life from root to branches.

-          The security – continuance as long as the Vine exists.

Humility

It is the proud heart that dares to think it can “go it alone”. Someone said: “It’s not difficult to live the Christian life – it’s impossible!”

How about that? Maybe you were thinking you were doing alright – all by yourself! Maybe you were thinking; “God owes me, I’ve been doing what He wants”. Maybe there still remains a “little root” of pride in your heart – do you think it’s possible? Please dear ones – you are not the vine! Our talents and lives are not the source of life; it can only be found in Jesus – the Vine! When we can truly come to the place in our thinking and attitudes that we are “Only a branch” – in true humility – then we will begin to experience and enjoy His Presence.

Dependance

It is difficult for us because of all the pressures in society towards independence to become dependant. In this it is an acknowledgment of inferiority – and who wants to have an “inferiority complex”? “Self” is loathe to admit defeat or need. “Self” is always justifying its actions and ways. “Self” always wants first place and refuses to take the lesser position – in anything. The world speaks of “numero uno” – I think we all understand what is here implied.

Dependance is considered a bondage to someone other than yourself. Striving for independence is what all seem to be seeking. Looking for a place of “no needs” is the desire of all. God’s ways are different to that of mankind. The very thing man seeks becomes the greatest bondage. The “liberty” and throwing off the restrictions imposed in effect becomes mans downfall. He becomes a slave to sin and Satan with no hope of ever being free – apart from the Lord Jesus. The “liberty” to do what they want – for example use of drugs and misuse of alcohol – has proved that “wanton liberty kills”.

In God’s Kingdom there is only true joy and liberty in dependance on Him. Without being dependant on Him there is only self left – and self is sadly lacking in the resources needed. Dependance on the Vine is what the call of God is to us this day. Resting in Him! Relyting on Him to do what He has promised. Experiencing and enjoying true life as it flows from Him to us. Liberty and joy can only be found in reliance and dependance on Him – our Vine. Be a branch in that vine – cast away your independence and start enjoying what He has provided.

Sustenance

A branch doesn’t “strive” or “try” to produce fruit or life. It merely rests and expectantly waits for life to flow from the vine and root. If branches had to produce by their own power it would be quite a mess we would see. No! The life that flows through the branch is the same life that is in the vine! All the strength and sustenance that the branch needs comes from the vine. It is the vine’s responsibility to feed its branches. It is the vine’s duty to obtain the necessary nutrients and to convey them to the branches. Only the correct nutrients will produce the desired fruit in the branch. There is no need for the branch to strive – but rest in complete trust on the vine. Dear ones – rest and trust in the Lord – don’t “lean on your own understanding – in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” Rest in assurance that He will and is sustaining you – by His Holy Spirit through His Word. Rest – I say in the Lord.

Guaranteed flow of Life

John 15:4-5 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.

There it is – the clear statement that “as long as we abide in the vine (in restful dependance and trust) we will produce fruit” – GUARANTEED!

How we need to stop stiving to produce what we cannot. Rather we should rest in Him and the fruit will be automatically produced. It flows from His life – not ours.

Security

The vine is eternal; once in the vine no one can remove us. As long as the vine lives we live. There is no fear – restfully abide and depend on Him and enjoy the peace and assurance of security.

In conclusion a poem by Freda Hanbury:

"Tis only a little Branch,

A thing so fragile and weak,

But that little Branch hath a message true

To give, could it only speak.

 

"I'm only a little Branch,

I live by a life not mine,

For the sap that flows through my tendrils small

Is the life-blood of the Vine.

 

"No power indeed have I

The fruit of myself to bear,

But since I'm part of the living Vine,

Its fruitfulness I share.

 

"Dost thou ask how I abide?

How this life I can maintain?—

I am bound to the Vine by life's strong band,

And I only need remain.

 

"Where first my life was given,

In the spot where I am set,

Upborne and upheld as the days go by,

By the stem which bears me yet.

 

"I fear not the days to come,

I dwell not upon the past,

As moment by moment I draw a life,

Which for evermore shall last.

 

"I bask in the sun's bright beams,

Which with sweetness fills my fruit,

Yet I own not the clusters hanging there,

For they all come from the root."

 

A life which is not my own,

But another's life in me:

This, this is the message the Branch would speak,

A message to thee and me.

 

Oh, struggle not to "abide,"

Nor labor to "bring forth fruit,"

But let Jesus unite thee to Himself,

As the Vine Branch to the root.

 

So simple, so deep, so strong

That union with Him shall be:

His life shall forever replace thine own,

And His love shall flow through thee.

 

For His Spirit's fruit is love,

And love shall thy life become,

And for evermore on His heart of love

Thy spirit shall have her home.

 Freda Hanbury