Vines and Branches

 

[Jesus said] “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 does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:1-5 ESV).

 

Today’s reading is one of the most encouraging and challenging teaching from Jesus. He uses the illustration of a grapevine to teach an incredible principle. I have mentioned before my affinity for Muscadine grapes. I like to make jelly each year from the tart fruit grown from this wild variety so common in this part of Texas. A couple of years ago I decided I would cultivate some wild vines on an arbor to make them a bit easier to pick. You can see from the picture I’ve included they have taken well to the arbor. I’ve had to prune it some to make sure it grows in the direction that best suits my design and insure a good harvest. The grapes only grow on the branches. The better job I do of pruning, the better yield of grapes I will get.

 

The crises of our lives can be tough. It often seems as if we are being “pruned.” During those times it’s very difficult to see believe anything good that God might be doing. Whether your finances are at risk through a job loss, or you have a relationship that’s threatening to implode, or you’re experiencing some other devastating event, it’s heart-breaking to see your world turned upside down. Eventually you wonder whether God might be punishing you for something.

 

But the fact is, we often seek to connect with God in our crises in ways that we wouldn’t ordinarily consider. One rumor of lay-offs or one unexplained result on a medical test can change everything. Suddenly life isn’t about you anymore, it’s about God. A major crisis can persuade us to spend our energy connecting to God. And, that’s the point.

 

Obviously, suffering is painful. But Jesus’ point in our reading is that the only way we can thrive in life is by being naturally connected to him, like branches to a vine. That means our lives will be far richer connected to him in a crisis than if we are drifting off on our own. The point is not that crises aren’t bad; it’s that being connected to Jesus Christ is good. Sometimes God uses the “pruning” of a crisis to help us find him. Trust Him… He is a Master vinedresser!