John 15:1-2 tells us that Christ is the real vine, and the Father is the husbandman. We, the many believers in Christ, are the many branches in the vine – and we are set to go forth and to bear fruit! In this whole universe there is a vine-tree, a universal vine-tree: Christ as the embodiment of God as the tree of life (John 1:14). This vine tree is actually the organism of the Triune God – in Christ all the fullness of the Godhead dwells (Col. 2:9).
The Lord Jesus came as the seed of life and then He died and resurrected – in His resurrection He regenerated/brought forth many believers (John 12:24) – who now are the many branches in the vine! We as the believers were “grafted” (Rom. 11:17) into the Triune God – who is embodied in Christ. Just like the physical branches, we now need to abide in the vine and we will automatically/spontaneously bear fruit (John 15:5).
Actually, as normal branches, we need / are responsible to bear fruit, or else the husbandman (the vine-keeper) will cut us off as un-fruitful branches. As we enjoy the rich sap in the vine tree(the rich Christ flowing as the Spirit into our spirit – spreading through every part of our being), we spontaneously grow and bear fruit!
This fruit that we bear by enjoying the rich supply is actually the increase of the vine, the increase of the Triune God! The expression of the divine life within us is that we bear fruit – and the vine is “glorified” – God is glorified in our bearing fruit!
This is His multiplication and reproduction, and this is how the vine – the Triune God – is expressed and manifested: in our bearing fruit by abiding in the vine (being properly connected and supplied)!
Lord, keep us abiding in You today, enjoying all Your riches! Save us from remaining hungry, and also save us from being un-fruitful! Lord, fill us to overflowing with Your riches, so that we may bear fruit by overflowing Your life! Have a way to increase in this age in this world in the place You placed us in – through us!
