Today’s Post By: Rae Lynn DeAngelis
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. (John 15:1-4)
The lesson of the vine and branches was taught during some final moments Jesus shared with His disciples following the last supper. It is evident through Scripture that Jesus knew the time was drawing near for His death. If you knew you were going to die, and you only had a short time left with your closest family and friends, what would you say? Jesus used His time to do what He had done so many times before… teach.
Like every good teacher, Jesus used relatable objects and situations to best communicate His message.
“No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; and you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4b-5)
The ultimate goal when tending a vineyard is to cultivate and foster the greatest possible harvest of fruit. But Jesus isn’t just talking about grapes in this passage. He is talking about spiritual fruit. Our Master Gardener desires to cultivate in us the greatest possible harvest of spiritual fruit.
What is spiritual fruit?
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22)
“All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.” (Colossians 1:6)
“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…” (Colossians 1:10)
Bruce Wilkinson, author of Secrets of the Vine, explains that spiritual fruit represents good works, a thought, attitude, or action that God values because it glorifies Him. He goes on to say that bearing fruit is not some unique phenomenon reserved for certain Christians, but it is the destiny of every believer.
If we want our lives to bring forth an abundant harvest of fruit, we must follow Jesus’ instructions—surrender to the Gardener and remain in the Vine.
