"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit;" John 15:5a (NKJV)

Lately, I have found myself reading and thinking about the Gospel of John 15:1-17. The passage describes the relationship between a gardener (God), the vine (Jesus), and the branches (the followers of Jesus). Each has a specific task to accomplish. The gardener cares for the vine and the branches by providing the best in all that is needed for the branches to be fruitful. The vine supplies the nutrients and the very essence of life to the branches, again in order to benefit the branches fruitfulness. The branch is to be fruitful, and all the branch has to do is “remain” in the vine in order to accomplish its’ task. As long as the branch “remains,” fruitfulness is a guarantee.

According to this passage there appears to only be two kinds of branches, those that bear fruit and those who do not. It also indicates the plight of those that do not bear fruit—they are drastically pruned back and destroyed.

So, why would a person choose to be barren? It does not make sense that a person would willingly choose to be barren. I suppose that is it possible that a person could feel that it is a mistake to trust the gardener. If a person felt that the gardener was not truly a caring, loving, giving, gardener than they would try to find someone or something to provide what they need. When a gardener prunes a branch he does so with the best in mind for the branch. The idea of being cut and pruned does not sound pleasant or helpful in the short term, but it is the only way to ensure a healthy branch. A careful reading of John 15, yields an understanding that it is the one who “remains” that is fruitful, and that the one who lives apart from the vine (15:5b), is the one who can do nothing. We should battle through our moods, feelings, and emotions into absolute devotion to the Lord Jesus. It is only when we break out of our own little world of experience into abandoned devotion to Him that we understand His true character and His desires for each of us. Only by investing in a quality relationship with Him will we come to understand what it means to be fruitful.

One of the unique and wonderful things about Fairview is that everyday our staff and faculty invest in students and families. Everyday we pray that the gardener would do exactly what needs to be done in order to have a fruitful harvest. Keep your life so constantly in touch with God that His surprising power can break through at any point. Live in a constant state of expectancy, and leave room for God to come in as He decides.

Thanks for reading.