PERHAPS THE CLEAREST metaphor of the life in Christ is to be found in the Vine and the branches in John 15:1–11. Here the mutuality of our abiding in Him and of His abiding in us is most clearly seen.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples” (vv. 5–8).
The Vine-and-the-branches figure cannot be pushed beyond original intentions, but it does mean that the Vine and the branches share a common life—the life in the Vine is the same as the life in the branches. We share not merely the same intentions and the same purposes, but also the same life. That is breathtaking. It actually means that we live by the life of Another. “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20)—all my thoughts interfused with His thoughts, all my emotions interfused with His emotions, and all my acts with His acts. This is renewal by regeneration—everything reborn.
Does that mean that we are thereby divine? No, for there is this difference: the Vine sustains the branches—the branches do not sustain the Vine. It is true that the Vine cannot express itself except through the branches; so Christ has tied Himself to us as far as the expressions of His life and work are concerned in this world. Amazing limitation which Christ has imposed on Himself! No other hands but ours, no other feet but ours, no other tongue but ours! Amazing identification!
O Jesus, Thy Incarnation in flesh and blood amazes me, but this continuous incarnation in our flesh and blood, limiting Thyself to us and our willingness to express that Incarnation—this humbles me to the dust, and raises me to the highest heaven. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: Abiding in Thee, Thy “words” become my direction and my delight!
