Fruit on the Vine - John 15
This passage is the parable of the vine & the branches. Jesus said that He was the vine and that His followers would be branches. It is quite a good analogy. Lots of application here. One that impresses my mind is the simple application that a healthy branch always bears fruit. It does not try to bear fruit, but rather it bears fruit. It is in the DNA of the branch. It bears fruit without effort. The only issue is the health of the branch. And for the most part, that goes back to its attachment to the vine. In fact, Jesus said, "When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant."
So the application is quite simple. When Jesus calls a person to follow Him, it is an invitation to a dual focus - Involvement with others on the one hand and loving Jesus on the other hand. And the result is that he/she will live a life that has results - fruit. It is a life of impact. Unless . . . there's something wrong with the branch. Unless the branch is diseased or broken off from the vine. Then no fruit.
These are the words Jesus' followers needed to hear. These eleven were the fruit that had come from Jesus' life. And now they would have the chance to live as a branch, producing fruit. In fact, Jesus told them plainly later, "You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil." They could make a difference with their lives IF they would take care of their attachment to the vine. And so the lesson is clear: If my life is not making an impact, then something is wrong with my connection with Jesus.