Spring is around the corner, at least officially. With the wild weather we have seen recently, who knows when it will really begin. But when it does, some of the trees and bushes will need to be pruned.
John Chapter 15 is the marvelous Vine and the Branches passage. Jesus told His listeners, “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.” [vs1-2 NLT]
There are only two kinds of branches: those that are dead and those that bear fruit. The dead branches have one fate, to be cut off and tossed into the fire and burned. Can’t be any clearer than that.
The fate of the other branches–the fruit producing ones–is to be pruned so that they will be even more fruitful. So often I have heard people talk about being pruned, as if it was something horrible. Pruning is anything but horrible; it is life giving and fruit producing! Pruned branches are ones that stay attached to the vine. Pruned branches have already been bearing fruit; now the pruning produces even more fruit.
I have watched my husband in his garden for years, carefully looking at the vines and plants and trees, looking for signs of life and production, then tenderly cutting away the little things that hinder in order to provide opportunity to produce even more. He does it not from a spirit of punishment, but from love; and it doesn’t harm the plant, but instead causes it to thrive.
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” [vs 7-8 NLT]
