Scripture: “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” – John 15:2
Examination of chapter: Jesus is teaching His disciples about the importance of being connected to Him in order to accomplish God’s will. He uses the illustration of a vine as the source of energy and power for its branches to be able to grow and produce fruit.
Application: I have several rose bushes in my flower garden, and as much as I dislike the task, pruning is essential for them to be healthy and produce many flowers. Avoiding the thorns while I remove the dead branches is no fun, but I know that in the spring, there will be new growth and beautiful roses to admire.
Spiritual pruning is also a necessity, but often an unwelcome process in our Christian lives. It is a time when God removes all the “dead branches” – those things that hinder our spiritual growth and “fruitfulness”. Those things that inhibit the growth of our faith and service include pride, bitterness, toxic relationships, gossip, etc. There are so many sinful behaviors that stunt our spiritual growth, and when the Lord prunes those things away, the result is a healthier and more fruitful child of God.
When I prune my roses, it is not because I don’t like them; it’s quite the opposite! I enjoy the brightly colored blooms, the sweet fragrance, and the butterflies and bees that they attract. It is the same with God. He doesn’t allow us to go through hard times and challenges as a punishment, but rather as a loving time of cultivation to draw us closer to Him and make us more aligned with His will for our lives.
While pruning is not always a pleasant process, we must trust God, our “gardener”, to do what is needed to make us more like Him. In Philippians 1:6, He assures us that His pruning is a “good work”. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” We must willingly release everything He cuts away from us, remembering that He only wants the best part of us to remain!
In John 15:5, Jesus reminds us, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” As the faith of believers grows stronger from His pruning, they blossom more brilliantly as a beautiful reflection of Jesus, drawing others to Him just as the springtime roses invite the butterflies and bees!
John 15:1 records Jesus’ words, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” Let us always remain connected to the “true vine”, our Lord Jesus Christ. Through prayer, Bible study, and trusting His pruning process, we become more able to produce a bounty of spiritual fruit for our heavenly Father.
Memory Verse: “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” – John 15:8
Stretching your thoughts:
1. In what areas of your life is the Lord pruning away?
2. Why is it difficult to let go of these “diseased branches”?
I am the vine, and ye are the branches,
Bear precious fruit for Jesus today;
The branch that in me no fruit ever beareth,
Jesus hath said, "He taketh away."
I am the vine, and ye are the branches;
I am the vine, be faithful and true;
Ask what ye will, your pray'r shall be granted,
"The Father loved me, so I have loved you."
(from “I Am the Vine” by Knowles Shaw)