June 10, 2020-Chapter 9: "Ye Are The Branches"- Question: 1

QUESTION: 1

Think of the purpose of a branch on a tree or a vine. Is it connected to the vine or tree to bear fruit on its own? Or is it the responsibility of the “vine”, the “roots”, and the “sap” that flows through the vine to produce the fruit? Think on this analogy of the vine and the branch, and now think about your relationship with Christ as the “Vine” and you are the “branch”. What is your role as the branch and Christ as the “Vine” in your everyday walk with Him? (Page 91)

ANSWER To Question 1 (As stated by the Author)

What a simple thing it is to be a branch, the branch of a tree, or the branch of a vine! The branch grows out of the vine, or out of the tree, and there it lives and grows, and in due time, bears fruit. It has no responsibility except just to receive from the root and stem sap and nourishment.

Personal Comment:

This first question brought home for me the full meaning of my relationship with my Lord. You see, as a young child growing up in the Central Valley of California, I grew up around grape vines. I used to pick grapes as a child with my mother and brothers. And then later on in life, I would help prune the branches in the winter months preparing the vine for the coming season.

I realized what the author was saying here in the 9th chapter, "Ye Are The Branches". As long as the branch is connected to Vine, it will produce much fruit. But once the branch is cut off from the vine, it can produce nothing.

The same is true with our relationship with Jesus. As long as we stay connected to our Lord, Jesus, He will product the fruit in us, in His time and in His way. We have to do nothing but to stay connected to Him. So simple, but so true. What do we tend to do? We want to help Jesus in everything in our life, and hold on to every circumstance that we struggle with. What's the old adage?...."Let go and let God"!