John 15:1-3
“I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more.”
We can enjoy grapes in many ways. They can be consumed as they are, right off the vine, or they can be processed into jellies and jam. Grapes are also used to manufacture wine. No matter how you choose to enjoy grapes, if the branches that they grow on aren’t properly tended, no grapes will be produced. When weeds appear, they must be pulled or killed with weed killer or else the weeds will overtake the branches and stifle its growth. Although it seems easier to use weed killer, there is a chance that it would also kill the branches as well. Therefore, pruning is better. It targets the specific danger while leaving the branches intact to continue its growing process.
In the parable of the vine, we are told that Jesus is the vine, and his father is the farmer who prunes the branches on the vine. We are the branches who should be producing grapes. If we are found to be productive, the farmer will prune us so that we are allowed to produce even more. When we are working and fulfilling our call, it may seem that we have days, weeks, or even months where it feels as if we aren’t producing as much as we should. It is during those times that God is pruning us to allow us to produce even more. In my opinion, this will lead to a great reveal, and we should stay the course. We can’t lose sight of our purpose, and we must allow God to do his job as the farmer. The pruning may not always feel good. It will involve much sacrifice, but the reward will all be worth it.
