“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5 NIV
The Vine
Climbing vines grow well in Canadian gardens and add a vertical dimension to your garden and can grow on existing walls or fences. An arbor or trellis can be installed to provide climbing space. They are useful in hiding unsightly features or to provide a cover for a fence, garden shed or compost pile. English Ivy, Boston Ivy and Climbing Hydrangea are self-clinging. Other vines must be provided with a structure around which they can twine.
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I love seeing a vine covering a gazebo or the wall of a home. It adds life and colour. We had friends whose gazebo was covered with grape vines, and when we visited, we would go and pick grapes, enjoying their sweet flavour. Producing grapes is the sign of a healthy vine – with deep roots that draw nutrients from the soil. Jesus uses this idea as a picture of the Christian life. In John 15:5 he says, “‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.’” In this analogy, Jesus is the life-giving vine, and we are the branches, attached to the vine and drawing life from the vine. The fruit that is produced, the fruit of the Spirit, naturally comes because of the life that is the vine, flowing through the branches. Our life is always from our connection to Jesus. As we draw closer to Him, His life-giving Spirit does His work in us and through us. We do have a part to play here – Jesus says, “if you remain in me.” We need to keep connected with Jesus, daily, in reading His Word, prayer, and worship.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley