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An Absence of Essence

I read an article recently about flowers in which a chemist works with the enticing floral aromas which will be used in perfumes. Tucked away in the article was this finding; while doing her research, the chemist discovered that the instant a rose is cut from the bush, it’s fragrance is altered. I found that to be amazing and profound. Imagine, cutting a rose from it’s vine or bush, immediately changes it’s fragrance.


How about me? What happens to me when I am cut or separated from “the Vine”? In John, Jesus teaches a powerful lesson about being either attached to or separated from Jesus, the Vine.


“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; and you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” John 15:1-9


Apart from Jesus, I can do nothing! I am just like the rose, which when severed from the vine, it’s source of life, it’s whole being is changed. Not only is the fragrance of the rose altered the moment it is severed from the vine, it’s ability to bear more roses is forever more gone. Jesus is my source and separated from him, I too, cease to be a sweet smelling aroma to God, and my ability to bear fruit (love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control Galatians 5:22-23) is gone.


There are two ways to become separated from the Source. I can either sever myself or be pruned by the Gardener if I am unfruitful. Either way is devastating! I want to remain attached and joined to to his life-giving power. Praise be to God that I am His and by his grace and mercy, I can remain in Him. Any more, I don’t even want to try and do anything on my own. I know that “apart from him I can do nothing” and apart from him I am nothing. My whole purpose in this life is to emit the sweet smell of Christ who offers hope, life, and forgiveness and bear that fruit that resembles him.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2:14-15


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