The True Vine

"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 trims clean so that it will be even more fruitful.  You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you."  John 15: 1, 2 & 3

(This is the first of an eight part series on John 15).

Jesus is the True Vine, we are the branches and God the Father is the gardener and owner of that vine.

Whenever I prune my grapevines I always worry that I have cut too much off and that I might have ruined the vine.  The more I prune the more fruitful each branch becomes.  The "Caretaker" always knows what is best for the vine; what branch must be totally cut off and what branch must be kept but trimmed down.  And so it is with our Heavenly Father - He is taking care of us (the branches).  We all must undergo our own personal "pruning" and it is a lifetime cycle.  Sometimes I have noticed that my actions and my life seem to be so fruitful and then other times nothing seems to go right and it is so painful and frustrating.  These painful frustrating times are part of the "pruning" cycle that is necessary for a fruitful life.  

It is interesting that the word "True" is used in front of vine - showing that Jesus is the only way.  It is Jesus talking here in John 15 and I believe that he is saying that nobody can get to the Father except through Himself (Jesus).  He is also separating himself from any counterfeits.

Also, the word "clean" is significant - I believe it symbolizes the purifying action by Jesus.  We are clean because Jesus Christ died for our sins on the cross at Calvary.

Let us pray for endurance during the pruning seasons and for wisdom during the fruitful seasons.

Part 3:  A Fruitful Branch

Part 2:  We are the Branches

Part 4:  Branches Wither Away
Part 5:  As the Father Has Loved Me
Part 6:  Complete Joy
Part 7:  A Friend's Love
Part 8:  Chosen Fruit