The Grafter, the Root, and the Scion

Connection is essential to life. I have fruit trees in my backyard, and I know that if a branch breaks off from the tree, not only will it be unproductive, but the fruit already attached to it will die. Nutrients and hydration cannot flow to the branch and fruit if it loses connection to the tree. That is the point Jesus makes when He says, “abide in me.” In John 15, Jesus explains to His disciples the crucial need for connection by comparing this relationship to a vine, with its’ branches and fruit.

Without joining to the powerful root, we become dry and withered and good for nothing but kindling (John 15:6). Grafting is the process of joining two plants together so tightly that they grow into one. When we bond to Jesus, the power to bear spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) flows from Him through God’s Spirit to us and then out from us to a desperate world.

3 Factors for Successful Spiritual Grafting

1. Compatibility. You cannot take a palm tree and graft it into a grapevine. You cannot connect a lost soul to the Living God. We are fit to graft into Jesus, the True Vine, because at the moment of salvation, God makes us like Him – new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17).

2. Pressure and Alignment. In the grafting process, the rootstock (Jesus) is cut and split so the scion (the believer) can be lined up, joined, and bound tightly together. You are the scion. The word “scion” means “a young shoot or twig of a plant,” or – get this – “a descendant of a notable family, offspring, successor.”

3. Care of the graft site. The plant must be kept free of disease, well-hydrated, and nourished to maintain the viability of the coupling. Prayer and fasting, studying the Word of God, being in fellowship with other believers, worship – these are the key and continual practices in our lives to keep us connected and bearing fruit. God, the Vinedresser, expects results.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10, NKJV

Bearing fruit means you are yielding something that itself will go on to produce.

Seeds produce fruit, and fruit contains seedlings, which, if healthy, generate more fruit, right? Good works will manifest through you by your faith, your love for Jesus, and serving and discipling others. And then they will do the same.

Are you grafted in, aligned with God’s purpose, caring for your spiritual life, and prove it through how you love?

Stay connected; “for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).