Monday, July 24, 2023

The Vine

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.  John 15:4

My husband is a gardener.  He likes it very much.  Even though he has only been at it for just a few years now, he so enjoys taking time to watch over the crop and taking care of the needs of each individual plant.  He spends time each day keeping the weeds away, making sure they are watered and get enough sunlight.  As the plants grow, sometimes he has to remove dead leaves and even cut off little growths called “suckers.”  That is a great name for the little leader sprigs that form up between two existing stalks and if they are not cut off, they will steal the life and nutrients that the existing branches need to produce fruit.

His garden also grows in his heart.  As he takes time each day to care for his produce, he thinks about each need and even cares that no outside wildlife gets in and causes damage.  In the case of my husband, he even looks for natural ways to get rid of parasites and other damaging insects to protect each vegetable from being damaged or becoming diseased.  The more time he spends tending to and caring for the garden the more he thinks about it when he is aways from it.  As he goes to work each day, he thinks about the time he will spend with the plants in the evening hours when he gets home.  Not in a weird longingful way, but in a caring and nurturing way. He knows that the success and protection of each seedling is dependent on his attention to their life.

Today’s reading is also about gardening.  Jesus continues His last words to His disciples, but He shifts to give them some illustrations to help them remember what He told them.  He compares our relationship with Him to a fruit plant.  In this picture, He actually says that we need each other.  He said that even though He is the Vine, He cannot bear fruit without branches.  Likewise, as branches, we cannot bear fruit without the nutrients that the vine supplies.  He also said that even the good branches need to be pruned.  That sounds like it could be painful, but pruning is actually a freeing procedure.  The old and dead parts are taken away so that life can flow freely through every area.  Also, the “suckers” (distractions in life) are removed so that they are not taking the nutrients that need to be focused on where the fruit grows.

My favorite part is that my Father in heaven is the gardener.  In a similar way that my husband cares for and even thinks about his garden, God cares for and thinks about us.  Except His care for us goes way beyond the investment of time my husband puts into his garden.  God in heaven actually loves His Vine, branches and fruit.  He watches over, tends to the needs, prunes and even thinks about each part every day.  We are so much more than a garden to Him; we are His family.  The picture Jesus gave is a great one, but God’s love for us goes way beyond fruit and vegetables.  We are His family, His people and His children.  There isn’t one thing that He wouldn’t do for us, including sending His only Son (at the time) to come and rescue us.

Today I want to encourage you to consider how the branch that is your life is connected to the vine.  Are you firmly and strongly connected in, or are you just barely holding on?  Do you spend time each day strengthening your connection by communing with Him in prayer and His Word?  Jesus said that you must spend time living in the Vine if you want to bear fruit which means you have to set aside time to live and press into your relationship with Him.  God, your heavenly Father is watching over, caring for and loving you each step of the way, and He always will.  It is your job to make sure your connection is solid and strong to receive that love through the Vine.  Abiding in Him is through:  Time with Him, standing on His Word and following His plan.  Make your attachment stronger today by letting His life flowing into yours.

Today’s scripture reading: John 15:1-4

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 

2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 

3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.