How Do You Feel about Being a Branch? - Henry Knapp

How prideful are you? How prideful am I? I imagine that neither of us would want someone looking into our hearts and minds most days. It amazes me how much each and every day I think about ME: what I am doing, where I am going, what I am hungry for, how I feel, what I want to do next… it is an ancient sin—the sin of pride. And, it is primarily pride that governs the fallen human nature. I suppose most of us, if we are honest, are extremely susceptible to this very powerful and subtle temptation—to be a VINE, not a branch.

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 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 15:4-5

We really struggle to believe this is true. That apart from Him we can do nothing. NOTHING? Come on, Jesus. I have worked hard. I have earned my keep. I got dressed today on my own (well, ok, Kelly told me what to wear, but hey…). I go to work. I earn the money. I care for my family. And remember, I drive the car—not you Jesus.

This might be one reason Jesus told this metaphor to His disciples. It smacks at our pride, our independence. It defeats pride. The passage this week in John elevates Jesus and makes us smaller, more insignificant. We need Him. He does not need us. Think about that for a while—you are not necessary to God. God does not need you; He is the true vine. He is self-existent and self-sustaining and self-sufficient. HE is not part of your life…He IS your life. You are a branch. I am a branch. We are not the central thing. We are not the main thing. We are dependent, so utterly dependent. And so we see His elevated status and our humble one. “Apart from Him you can do nothing.” – John 15:5.

But, wait, aren’t I something? Don’t I matter to God? What about my worth and identity? Our worth, our value, our everything is found, not in what we are or do, but in how we are connected to Him—our Union with Christ. The oneness with Him; for He is the true vine and we are His branches. He is our life—our identity. This passage is essential in understanding who we really are—branches that bear great fruit when connected to Jesus, and branches that have no life apart from Him. Union with Christ means that individually and collectively we are ONE with Him. His life becomes our life. He is completely bound up in our life, every aspect of it. And here’s the cool thing—this kind of intimacy is not just when we get to heaven, but it is ours right now! We now are so connected with the Lord—a branch, His branch. We have this call—to abide in Him, bear fruit for Him, remain steadfast with Him.

As you prepare for worship this Sunday, read John 15:1-11.

1. Why would Jesus have used this particular metaphor? What other metaphors might He have used? More to the point, what metaphor might be appropriate today?

2. What does it mean to “prune” a branch? In terms of the metaphor, what is Jesus saying to His disciples?

3. What is the “fruit” in this metaphor?

4. What are some synonyms for “abide”? When you think of this word, what images are present? For me, “abiding” means something beyond just “living” or “being in”. You?

5. What does it mean to be thrown away, withered, burned in the fire…?

6. In verse 7, we are to abide in Him, and His words abide in us. How might His word “abide in you”?

7. How is the Father glorified when we bear fruit (vs. 8)? Can you think of an example, or a time in your life, where that was evident?

All for the praise of His glory! Henry