John 15:5 says, “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.” As a pastor, I’ve interpreted these words through the lens of ministry, emphasizing the significance of Jesus in my work. He is the driving force behind my ministry, the motivation for serving, and the source of power to accomplish my tasks. However, I recognize that my perspective might have been limited, akin to being “myopic” or “nearsighted.”
Jesus desires a place of preeminence, not just importance or prominence. Preeminence is defined as “surpassing all others.” When the Scriptures say, “…apart from me, you can do nothing,” I suggest that the category He refers to encompasses not only ministry but also every aspect of life. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I believe that without His life, direction, and guidance, I cannot fulfill my purpose and become the best version of myself. It’s like viewing life as a pie, sliced into various parts, such as marriage, career, hobbies, and so on.
When someone comes to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, they offer Him a “piece of their pie.” However, I believe this approach is incomplete. Instead, we should divide our entire life into its various components and then receive Christ into our lives. Instead of giving Him a slice, we give Him the center, making Him the preeminent One of our lives. This perspective shifts our understanding of salvation from a fragmented approach to a holistic one, where Jesus is not just a part of our lives but the central force that influences every aspect of them. In this context, John 15:5 exceeds the boundaries of ministry and includes everything that makes up our lives.