A View From the Vine

What is “A View From The Vine?” Glad you asked.  Based on John 15:5, I am a branch that is connected to the Vine, and this is my view of life from that vantage point.

Jesus said, “I am the Vine and you are the branches (John 15:5).” The Vine and the branches make up a beautiful and powerful image of Christ and his church. While not generally considered one of Christianity’s most beloved images, don’t underestimate the power of the Vine and the branches.

As the Vine, Christ has placed the branches within Himself.  Like a grapevine gives life to the branches that grow from it, Christ gives abundant life and eternal life to believers who are connected to Him.  The key to life is that relationship with Christ.

The grapevine also unites the branches.  It is the vine that holds them all together.  In Christ, individual believers are united.  Each of us is unique and created with our own personality, interests, and gifts.  But in Christ, we are brought together in a marvelous and mysterious way.  “We are one in the bonds of love.”

The vine also provides direction for the branches.  They must go where the vine leads them.  As the Vine, Christ directs His branches and we go where He leads us.

What a great picture of the church!  Christ is the Vine and we are His branches.  He gives us life, unites us, and directs us.  He is in charge.  Only by being rightly related to Him can we hope to bear fruit.  Only in Him, through Him, and by Him can the church be the church!

I have been blessed to be the pastor of First Baptist Church of West, TX for almost 20 years.  For over a decade now, John 15:5 has been our theme verse at FBC West.  We use it all the time to keep us on track.  It summarizes well how we relate to Christ, to each other, and to the world around us.