I am the true vine,
and my Father is the gardener.
John 15:1 CSV
I once heard about a tree that grew in the desert, in the middle of nowhere. There was no visible water source beside that tree, and people wondered how it managed to survive because it was not one of those trees known to thrive in such a harsh environment.
The secret was that the roots of the tree reached all the way down to an underground river. Though unseen on the surface, it was drawing water from the source that many didn’t know about.
Where is our definite source of life that gives life, hope and endurance for the day?
Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener."in John 15:1. In verse 5, He also says, "I am the vine; you are the branches."
“Bearing Fruit” is emphasized throughout John 15 (v.2, 4, 5, 8, 16). Let's be reminded that He longs for us to bear fruit even more than we can yearn for.
He did not say "I'm the vine and you are the fruit"
First, it's interesting that He did not say, “I am the vine and you are the fruit.”
If Jesus’ ultimate goal was just for us to receive His love and be saved, I think He would’ve totally said that.
But He not only calls us to be the recipients of His love but to share that love with others around us.
We are the branches. We are to abide in Him and to bear fruit in and through Christ. Not by our might but by His Spirit, because His love is the kind of love that causes us to share it with others.
Jesus didn't say "you are the vine"
Second, Jesus didn’t say “You are the vine.”
He could have said, "You are the vine and I am the vine dresser," butHe didn't because, apart of Him, we cannot do anything (John 15:5). We don’t know how to love unless we receive and learn from Him. We cannot share what we do not have or have not experienced.
This artwork reflects what Jesus has done for us, as He literally poured out His life for us like wine, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). We can bear fruit that lasts forever, like gold that never rots, and for that, He prunes us through various situations, people, and trials.
reflection:
When planting a vine, did you know that for the first year or so, the goal is to create a strong root system and trunk? How is our root system these days?
Have you ever rejoiced over your long-awaited "fruit" only for that to be taken away somehow? The vinedresser purposely removes some of the fruit (fruit thinning) to enhance the overall health or the vine and to help it bear good fruit. "Jesus, even when we think that we are in control, we are not. Help us to trust Your process, even when things do not make sense. Holy Spirit, remind us daily that You long to bear a quality fruit that lasts forever than we desire."
If Jesus is the TRUE vine, there must be a fake vine that looks real. What could it be? Abiding in the true vine always leads to true freedom, not bondage, as it says in John 8:31-32.
"Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31-32 CSV
amen amen