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“I am the vine; you are the branches.
Whoever abides in me and I in him,
he it is that bears much fruit,
for apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5 ESV

If you're familiar with New Testament teachings, you'll recognize the vine and branches theme. I've read the scriptures and heard countless sermons and teachings on this theme, but it wasn't until I began digging into things a little deeper that the light came on. What I want to share may not be new thoughts to you, but I want to get it in writing for my own benefit, if not for anyone else.

So, here's what really grabbed my attention as I sat in my recliner looking out my front window. The trees that were planted more than half a century ago appeared to be dried up and dead. The leaves had already withered and fallen to the ground; the winds carried them far away. Little evidence of life remained; empty branches remained, barren and unproductive.

From all appearances, the trees looked the same in the winter season, whether maple, crabapple, oak, elm ... the cold wintry days robbed them of their outward beauty. But then comes the Spring when life is restored, unless, of course, an unhealthy tree becomes fruitless.

We have a tree in our front yard that we've not cut down yet. Clustered together in the midst of the rest of the trees, it appears to be dead and no longer bearing fruit. It's difficult to see that some life remains in it if you view it from a distance. However, a closer-up view reveals a single branch that still bears seasonal leaves – you can only see it if you look for it. Otherwise, it remains hidden. Healthy trees surround it as if to protect it, as if their fruitful life would somehow transmit renewed life to the dead-looking tree.

After studying what it means to abide in the vine, I see this tree and am reminded of the Body of Christ. Healthy believers, those who are vine-connected, fruit-bearing disciples of Christ, can recognize a "tree" that is suffering or struggling in life. It is their duty to rally around those whose faith has been challenged, who feel distant from God, or who have been snared by the enemy in sin. It is the duty of Vine-abiders to hold close, cluster together, and surround the one who appears to be lacking the life-sustaining nourishment essential for an abundant life in Christ. In fact, this is a major function of the Body of Christ ... to help, comfort, encourage, strengthen, and offer nourishment to those in need. And, as the Body pours into the struggling one, strength and life can be transmitted, restoring hope and life.

As the Body of Christ, we must personally make an effort to remain attached to the Vine, bound together as the Body of Christ to serve, to love, to help, and to comfort those who are in the midst of life's challenges.

Abiding in the Vine! It's not just for our own benefit, it's for the benefit of others – for the benefit of the Kingdom of God spreading throughout the earth. Abiding not only keeps us spiritually healthy, but abiding also impacts others as we live connected to the life-giving, life-sustaining nourishment that comes from the Vine ... Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.

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© 2026 Jan Ross
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