Vine and the Branches

Our professor and head instructor at our academy was gone for a missionary trip to Haiti for a little over a week. During that time we had substitute instructors who lead our classes. Even though our professor was gone for some time and we the students missed him, we still benefited from training under the guidance of instructors who were entrusted by our professor to continue the day to day work at the academy. Though these instructors did not have the same personality, voice or teaching style as our professor we could still see glimmers of our professor’s authority, presence, mannerisms, and purity of technique in the instruction. It was almost as if our professor was with us in spirit.

I cannot help but think about the apostles following the resurrection and Jesus’ ascension into heaven. They must have missed their teacher greatly but Jesus himself gave them authority to teach, and promised a Comforter who would guide them and did not withhold anything from them.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. – John 15:15

Our substitute instructors must have spent a great deal of time with our professor on and off the mat to understand how his academy and classes should be run and details of techniques. There must have been a massive amount of time spent building trust in order for our professor to leave the students in their care. Similarly in our Christian walk, we must spend time with the Master, get to know him, study, meditate on His teachings always being connected to Him for without Him we cannot bear fruit.

Remain in me, as I also 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. – John 15:4

When the time comes and we share the gospel, the world may see fully His spirit and the glimmers Jesus’ love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Written by Andy Truong

About Andy Truong

Andy was born and raised in the DMV area and has a background in Exercise Science from George Mason University. In addition to BJJ and volunteering in his local church, Andy’s passions include weight training, health and fitness, nutrition, camping, hiking, music, songwriting, guitar, and experiencing new cultures and foods.