Weihua Zhang

“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



The year before, we planted a grape vine our friend Sima gave us for our back garden. Last year, it produced a few bunches of grapes and a long shoot. This year, there has been a massive growth - more than two hundred fruit-bearing branches sprouted from the shoot.

I am amazed by how productive a vine tree can be! It reminds me of Jesus words to His disciples, that He is the vine, the Father the gardener, and we the branches. The gardener cuts off branches without fruits, and trims the rest so they can bear more.

It also comes to my mind the astonishing statement by Jesus, “apart from me you can do nothing”. With thirteen years of walking with the Lord, I can prove that this is so true. Very often we do things our own way, ending with sorrow and regrets. As we are human, we often do things wrong and go astray.

When we choose to connect to Jesus, He helps us to do things God’s way. So the scripture teaches us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

The hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” best describes this. There are trials, temptations and troubles everywhere. We should never be discouraged, but take everything to the Lord in prayer, and be fruitful.  

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help us to remain in Jesus, your beloved son. Help us to bear fruits, and fulfil your perfect Will in us, Amen.