July 29 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 49–50; Romans 1

Simply Be

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. John 15:5

READ John 15:4–8

“Your mum came round today, but it was strange—she wouldn’t tell me what she wanted.”

Russell’s brow furrowed, “Didn’t you invite her in?”

I hadn’t done. In my home culture, people don’t just pop round. Her visit had flummoxed me, but, clearly, I had badly misunderstood the situation. An explanatory phone call and a British culture lesson later, I realised how foolish I had been. I’d assumed my mother-in-law wanted something from me when she simply wanted to be with me. I was so busy trying to work out her expectations that I missed the opportunity simply to enjoy her presence.

It’s something I find myself doing with God too. We so easily get caught up in the things we need to do as His people that sometimes we forget the most important thing: just being with Jesus, enjoying His presence.

Jesus reminds us, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (John 15:5). No branch can produce fruit by itself, no matter how hard it tries. Instead, Jesus’ command is to “remain”—or “stay connected”—in the vine.

Bearing fruit—serving Jesus—doesn’t require a frenzy of self-effort that leaves Him waiting at the door. But as we abide in Him, He promises, “You will bear much fruit”. Let’s take time to enjoy His presence today—and He will grow His fruit in us.

By Debbi Fralick

What stops you making time to rest in Jesus’ presence? When have you experienced His fruit growing in Your life simply because you’ve spent more time with Him?

Jesus, thank You for inviting me to be close to You right now. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

Jesus delivered the teaching found in John 15 not long before His trial and crucifixion—His last opportunity to warn the disciples not to be like Judas but to be steadfast in their faith and to bear fruit. The fertility of the vine (a common plant in Israel at that time) naturally suggested spiritual fruit-bearing. This illustration was not new to those familiar with the Old Testament (Psalm 80:8; 128:3; Isaiah 5:1–7). The main emphasis of John 15:1–17 —as evidenced by the word’s repetition eleven times—is the message to “remain” in Him: “If you remain in me . . . you will bear much fruit” (v. 5).