By Authrine Dryden
“I am the true vine, 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 not bear fruit so that they will produce even more.
John 15: 1-2 NIV
In a world yearning for spiritual sustenance and nourishment, Jesus proclaims, “I am the true vine, and my father is the gardener (John 15:1). This powerful declaration reveals a metaphor that encapsulates the transformative power of our spiritual connection to Jesus Christ. Just as a vine provides life-giving sap to its branches, enabling them to flourish and bear fruit, Jesus the true vine nourishes our soul with his divine essence, empowering us to become fruitful human beings.
Our lives, like the branches of the vine, derive their vitality from remaining attached to the source of nourishment. When we abide in Jesus, we receive his grace, mercy and forgiveness allowing us to overcome sin and grow more in holiness. This intimate union with the true vine allows us to bear the fruits of the spirit – love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).
Just as the vinedresser carefully prunes and cultivates the vine, Jesus’ fatherly love and wisdom guides our continued growth. Jesus then removes unproductive, useless branches, enabling us to focus on bearing the fruits he desires. As we submit to his pruning, we can become more fruitful and Christ-like. In essence, Jesus the true vine is the source of our spiritual lives and our ultimate connection with him determines our fruitfulness. By abiding in him and receiving his abundant provision we can also become the kind of branches that produce the rich harvest he desires for us.
Ask: What specific steps can I take to bear fruit more consistently?
Seek: How can I deepen my gratitude for the nourishing presence of Jesus in my life?
Knock: You too can experience the sense of the security of being attached to Jesus – our ultimate source.
(Upper Photo by Amos Bar-Zeev on Unsplash)
(Inner Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash)
