A Vine and Branches Botany Lesson
March 23, 2016//
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I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch andwithers. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples.
John 15:5-8 (NLT)
This is one of Jesus’ final lessons to the disciples, taught during the Last Supper. Since Jesus knew it was His last conversation with them, I believe it holds great importance.
The passage always reminds me that plants have a vascular system, so I did a quick review of freshman biology to get my facts straight. Let me just say that I wish YouTube had been available when I was in high school! What I discovered confirmed my sense that Jesus knew his botany.
Basically, water and nutrients flow up from the roots and outward from the vine to the branches – never back. Nutrients are used by the branch to grow and produce fruit. Excess water evaporates through the leaf’s surface. As we know, a branch withers if its connection to the vine is damaged or severed because the flow is interrupted.
Jesus says we are branches connected to the Sustainer. I love visualizing Jesus’ nourishment flowing through us – His love, His goodness. If we remain in Him and His words remain in us, not only do we remain healthy, grow stronger, and produce fruit, but Jesus’ love evaporates through us into the world. Isn’t that a cool visual?
How does Jesus flow through you and out to the world? (tweet this)
#SeedsOfScripture #Iamthevine
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Spend a few minutes to plant a quick Seed. Or stay longer and plant a whole garden.
Beautiful Cathy, When I start to fret or strive, I remember this verse. Thank you for sharing.
So this comes in from my dad: I hate to blow your bubble about u tube and freshman botany but there is a two way exchange of water, nutrients and sugars. Yes, the water and nutrients come from the roots out to the branches but the leaves on the branches produce sugars through photosynthesis which are then transported throughout the plant to nourish it.
And Dad is right. Not all nutrients come from the roots. The leaves photosynthesize to make sugars which flow around the plant for energy. The sugar is used locally if needed but sometimes does flow back toward the vine. With a grape vine, however, water comes up through the roots and out via evaporation. In my 300 word limit, and my attempt to not bore my readers, I glossed over photosynthesis. My apologies.
I also see that the leaves are photosynthesizing light / the sun, of which God is also the source.
JESUS' NOURISHMENT FLOWS THROUGH ME IN MANY WAYS, HOWEVER, I FEEL IT WHEN I AM DOING THE READING IN CHURCH, EXPLAINING THE READING TO MY FRIENDS, FROM THE ALTAR………I AM PRAISING GOD FOR THE GIFT HE HAS GIVEN ME. HE PUTS IT IN, AND I LET IT OUT TO THE PEOPLE, AND WHAT A WONDERFUL FEELING FOR ME!!!!! ALLELUIA!!! THAT'S A WONDERFUL GIFT TO ME……FROM HIM!!!!!! THANK YOU, LORD!!!