Sticking Close!

Okay, so I thought I might share a bit of my own devotion today.  In John 15:1-8 1 Jesus says,

 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”  John 15:1-8 1 (NIV)

Now, let me just make a quick observation from this passage. Here it is — Jesus used the phrase, “Remain in Me!” – not once, but 5 times! Now, as far as communication goes…anything that is repeated or emphasized again and again is always key (or central) to the message being shared.

It’s fascinating to me to see how directly and with almost a sense of abandonment that Jesus does this. His is so in the face of those around Him…and it is without hesitation that He makes His point clear.

He states the most important thought here again and again. He says, “Remain in Me!” Now, if you get nothing else out of this post – get this…Jesus wants you to emphatically understand the importance of sticking close to Him!

I’m sure this seems obvious – but here’s what I got out of this. First, this is so important to our daily living…because the the vine is always the source of everything needed to not only survive, but thrive. And secondly, because all fruit has it’s beginning in the source!

Everything good that we long to produce in our lives will only come from the source…the vine — Jesus!

Think on these things!