ADVENT JOURNEY 2025 (Exploring the Character Traits of the Messiah) -- EPISODE 17

Life doesn’t flow from trying harder—it flows from staying connected.

Jesus invites us to abide in Him, the True Vine.

This Advent, discover the quiet power of living in Him.

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Transcript

The Messiah: The True Vine

Scripture: John 15:5 (NASB)

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

Day 17 of Advent invites us to meet the Messiah as the True Vine—the source of all spiritual life. Jesus doesn’t describe Himself as someone we admire from a distance. He speaks of a relationship that is close, living, and ongoing.

Jesus uses an image His listeners would have understood immediately. A branch has no life of its own. It doesn’t produce fruit by trying harder. It only bears fruit by staying connected to the vine. Once it’s cut off, it begins to wither.

And Jesus says the same is true for us. “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” Not because we don’t try, but because real spiritual life doesn’t start with us. Love, joy, peace, patience—these aren’t things we manufacture. They grow naturally when we remain connected to Him.

Jesus is our life-flow.

Our strength when we’re tired.

Our source when we feel empty.

Advent gently calls us to slow down and remember this. In a season full of activity and noise, Jesus invites us not first to do more, but to abide—to stay close, stay connected, and live dependently on Him.

Abiding isn’t striving.

It’s staying.

It’s choosing presence over performance.

And when we do—even imperfectly—His life begins to show in ours. Fruit appears, not because we forced it, but because He is faithful.