I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
John 15:1-5
This passage from John has recently been brought to mind. It’s a familiar one, but I wanted to do a deep dive and see what Jesus is really talking about. It begins by discussing how our Father, the gardener, prunes us. Pruning is the process of cutting away dead or overgrown branches to increase fruitfulness and growth. The gardener needs to determine the correct way and the proper time for each plant. Pruning is a methodical and purposeful process. There is always a reason for pruning, such as shaping the plant for a healthier overall appearance, controlling disease or insects, or increasing blooms and fruit. “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, he prunes it so that it may bear more fruit” (15:2). He prunes the dead and overgrown parts of our lives so that we can produce fruit that is eternal. Pruning is a painful process of refinement but the result is glory to the Father. Notice that the branches cannot prune themselves; instead, the gardener needs to do it. The vine and branches are entirely dependent on the gardener for their health. Once the gardener has done his job, the vine can be abundantly fruitful. “Apart from me you can do nothing” (15:5). If the branch wasn’t attached to the vine, it would be dead. We can do nothing of ourselves and Jesus can do nothing without His Father. Doing anything would be dead works. Rather, this is a call to abide in the vine who is Jesus. Apart from Him, we are just dead branches. He is the one who gives us LIFE and gives it abundantly (John 10:10). Only through His life in us, is there fruit produced through us. Galatians 5:22-23 shows us what the fruit in our lives looks like when the spirit indwells within us. It says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”. This is evidence of the Spirit’s work which has eternal value. Fruit is the byproduct of abiding in the one who lives in us and gives Life.
How have you seen the fruit of the Spirit in your life today? Could it be through patience with a family member, a coworker or children? Or having joy in the Lord despite your circumstances? Or all of the above? Praise the Lord for His work in your life!
What does it mean for you to abide in Him today? He is a big God who has everything under control. As The Gardener, He is purposeful in everything that He does. Abide in Him, knowing that He is God.
By: Lydia Pardys
