The Reason Why Our Pruning Might Take the Hard Way
John 15:1-11
One of the three main fruits in the Galilee were grapes. Growing grapes requires much work to grow them successfully. Although many farmers successfully have plentiful grape harvests, it is not easy and requires constant care, such as pruning. Pruning was necessary and often arduous.
In John 15, Jesus illustrates through vine farming three features which Christians possess.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
John 15:1 ESV
The first point is that we are the product of Jesus' existence. We get our life as branches from the vine. God, our father, is the vine dresser, and Jesus is the vine. Jesus manages our lives when we are part of the vine. Our lives are in Jesus and God's hands. We need to acknowledge that our existence is Jesus' responsibility. Also, we need to accept that Jesus gives us our lives and purpose.
To understand Jesus as the vine and our dependence on Him, it is necessary to understand plants. Tress are a good example to illustrate what Jesus is talking about. Tress have roots which give the tree stability. Weak roots will not hold the tree well or bring much water and minerals whereas strong roots hold the tree in the ground well and can bring in much needed water and minerals. In winter, trees lose their leaves and sometimes branches are cut off or cut back. In spring, new branches grow as well as new leaves and eventually fruit. It is important to note that the trunk and roots remain but do not need branches to be a tree. Branches need the tree or the vine to live. As Christians, we depend on Jesus to be Christians. Christians come out from the life of Jesus Christ.
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.
John 15:4 ESV
The second point is that Christians grow as they receive from Jesus. Branches that grow from the trunk will produce leaves as well as fruit, seeds or nuts. When branches are cut off, those branches die. Sometimes branches produce too many leaves which causes the branches to sag down. They then might touch the ground which then can destroy the fruit. Another result which could happen when branches touch the ground is that the branches might grow their own roots. These roots tend to be weak, and the branch might break off from the trunk. The result is the branch dies since the roots are too weak to sustain it. Much like Christians we tend to start to find independence from Christ. The independent growth does not sustain the branch for long and death follows. We can only grow through our dependence and interaction with Christ.
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. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
John 15:5-6 ESV
Jesus has called us to bear fruit. Branches that are not producing fruit are cut off and thrown away. However, the branches that produce fruit are pruned so that they can grow more fruit. Pruning is difficult and painful, yet it is done on those branches that are valuable and useful.
Jesus may prune us by putting different people in our life to push our character. When we are being pruned, we need to ask what is it that Jesus wants us to change in our lives so that we can bear fruit. Moreover, how can we bear more pleasing fruit.
You have value and purpose, but this has to be developed. It may be difficult as parts of our lives are cut back, yet in order to produce real fruit that is pleasing to God, we need to abide in Jesus and let God have his way in our lives.