Vine

John 15:1. I am the true VINE, and my Father is the VINEdresser.

Dictionary definition of VINE— A plant whose stem requires support and which climbs by tendrils or twining or creeps along the ground.

VINE- What comes to mind when we see or hear the word VINE? Perhaps a pretty VINE climbing up the side of a house, or a beautiful clematis climbing up a trellis, wisteria hanging, morning glories by an old barn. Then there are the grape VINES, or cucumbers, or watermelons. The fruit or flowers can only exist if each VINE is healthy. We often think of the grape VINE as the only vine we recognize. We forget about the cucumber, watermelon, or cantaloupe, etc. They, too, even though they usually creep along the ground are VINES as well. Do we remember to think of Jesus as the VINE we are attached to, and His Father is the VINEdresser? In John 15:4 Jesus says, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the VINE, no more can ye, except ye abide in ME.” Jesus is clear when He says unless we abide in Him, we can bear no fruit just like the grape VINE. No grapes will exist unless the grape VINE is healthy and capable of producing . If Jesus is the VINE thar we must be a part of, who is the VINEdresser?
John 15:1 “I am the true VINE, and My Father is the VINEdresser.” For Jesus it is His FATHER. For us it is the people who take care of the VINES. The VINES need cultivating, fertilizing, trimming to develop abundant good fruit. Just as Jesus and God help us, as part of His VINE, to be fruitful and productive as well as healthy. Another example of a VINE is found in Psalm 128:3 “Thy wife shall be as the fruitful VINE by the sides of thine house; thy children like olive plants round about thy table.” How can we operate as part of the VINE of Jesus and produce good fruit? What kind of fruit might we be expected to produce? Surely not grapes or watermelon, but what does Jesus consider good fruit for us to produce? The fruits we should bear are of repentance, faith, obedience, and relationships.
Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control.” We, too, need to be fertilized, cultivated, and trimmed just like the VINES to produce plentifully. God will do the nurturing while Jesus leads the way. What does it look like in the Spirit to have the VINE well cared for? Jesus gives each of us charge over others to help others become fruitful by learning more about Him from us. Many need cultivating in order to succeed. Then there are those who need to have dead pieces of the VINE trimmed away so new growth which can produce good fruit can occur. When we, as part of the VINE of Jesus, are trimmed, it might seem cruel, but do not despair. Watch for new and better good fruit. Ever go in your yard and do some trimming? What you’ve trimmed may look forlorn for awhile, but in due time new growth appears and is better than ever before. That is God’s plan for us. We may be forlorn for awhile, but soon new growth appears and along with it beautiful fruit. Father, thank you for knowing when to trim and when to fertilize us. We are grateful to be such an important part of the VINE of Jesus. Our trust in you to always do what is best for us leaves us in a state of peace and contentment. We know You will help us produce just the right fruit at the right time, and that it will be good as You are our VINEdresser. And You are good.