The Vine And The Branches

Servant and Friend…Jesus Christ.

John 15:1-17

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

The move from Servant to Friend of Jesus is where we move toward as we walk with the Spirit of Jesus Christ, who makes us whole and comolete. Jesus describes us as the branches. We are that part of tree that serves a purpose for Him. We are not the root or the fruit. We are not the vine. We are the branches.

Branches must be pruned and cut away to make room for new and stronger growth. That is what God does in our lives faily, as we get to know Him more and more. As we read and become steiner and more faithful believers, He begins to cut away branches that are no longer needed, or perhaps never were. This is a lifelong process, just as with any tree that continues to grow.

Have faith that God knows exactly which branches to cut as He prunes us all. Believe that although a branch to you may be pretty, God has a plan to grow you bigger and better than you ever though possible, so that He is glorified. Rest assured that the pruning process is a painful, yes, but one that is necessary and right. For God has come into your life to make you more and more like His son, Jesus Christ…our friend and advocate. Our Savior and Redeemer. Our Creator. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK