A sinister passenger lurked in the 1860s steamships powering across the Atlantic. Its name? Phylloxera—a microscopic louse with an appetite for roots.
Panic tore through France. Church bells rang in terror as thousands of vineyards shrivelled and died, alongside many livelihoods. In desperation, a hefty reward was advertised: who could stop phylloxera severing the water and nutrient flow from roots to vines? Finally, someone came up with an effective defence: grafting European shoots into phylloxera-resistant American vines.
The process of grafting involves inserting one piece of living material into another so that they now unite and grow as one. It’s how Jesus describes our relationship with Him in John 15:1: “I am the true vine.” He is our only spiritual life-source. “Remain in me” (v. 4)—in other words, “Keep living here with me.” By faith we are grafted to “the true vine” as His branches. And as we obediently respond to Jesus’ words (vv. 7, 10), His life-nurturing Spirit produces God’s fruit in us ( vv. 4–5). Our lives are no longer just ours, but a wonderful extension of His.
Temptations to grow distant from Jesus are like the invasive louse looking to hinder the vital flow of spiritual nourishment. Just like phylloxera-resistant vines, Jesus is our source of life and our defence against worldly tugs and fears. Eternally one with Him, our spiritual sustenance and health comes from cherishing this vital union and life-giving friendship (v. 15).
By Anne Le Tissier
REFLECT & PRAY
How does it encourage and reassure you to see yourself as one with Jesus? What practical things could you do to help restore your focus on Jesus throughout each day (for example, setting an alarm or keeping a particular object on your desk)?
Thank You, Jesus, for cherishing me as Your friend and binding me to Yourself.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
One of the distinctly beautiful features of the gospel of John is its seven “I am” sayings. These statements serve to identify Jesus with Yahweh—the eternal, ever-present, covenant-keeping God who revealed Himself to Moses in Exodus 3:14: “God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: “I am has sent me to you.” ’ ” Jesus’ declaration in John 15:1, 5—“I am the [true] vine”—is the seventh “I am” statement (see also 6:35; 8:12; 10:7, 11; 11:25; 14:6) . On the eve of His death, Jesus reminded His disciples of how essential it was to remain connected to Him. Through Christ’s words we understand that “loving obedience” is required to abide in Him: “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love” (15:10).
Arthur Jackson
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