Pruning
Published October 17, 2007
John 15:2
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, That it many bear more fruit.
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This year’s crop of blackberries was spectacular! In January and February huge white blossoms began to appear; foretelling the fruit that was to come. For minutes at a time I would watch the contributing work of the bees, pollinating and buzzing among the flowers. I took note when fallen petals revealed young berries; the hope of better things to come. The weather warmed more and the sunshine brought forth plump, dark berries. For several months, beginning in April, my family enjoyed fresh blackberries. Yum!
The intense heat of the summer months was harsh on the bushes. A few blossoms turned into berries, but the main crop was now over. I had to begin planning for the fall and pruning. I talked to my friend Diane Riessmueller who has the ultimate functioning garden. She told me that I needed to look closely at the branches and prune those that bore fruit, all the way back to its off shoot. The branches that didn’t bear fruit need to be cut off back to the cane at the soil line. Those very young branches that didn’t bear fruit can get plenty of nutrients to mature and eventually blossom. The pruned branches will grow new shoots which also will eventually bear more fruit.
Today’s verse is from a beautiful passage in the Book of John (13:1-11). Jesus is speaking to his disciples about his relationship to them and to God, the Father. The metaphor of the Vine, branches, fruit, and vinedresser was (and still is) very understandable. Verse 1 establishes Christ’s divine authority. “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” Verse 2 speaks directly about productive and unproductive followers.
Our focus today is on pruning. This can come in all sorts of forms. Hardships, trials, sudden challenges, and health issues are examples that we can relate to. Yes, pruning is painful. Sometimes it seems as if we can’t recover from severe and harsh things in our life. But, if you are abiding in Christ (verse 4), then you will bear more fruit after being pruned. These verses offer hope and promises, through the love that the Father has for us.
Let’s read John 13:1-11 and meditate on the wonderful plan God has for each of us through our relationship with Jesus Christ.
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How magnificent you are oh Heavenly Father! Your word reveals how you help us grow and mature and bear more fruit. Though this involves painful pruning, we have the assurance that we will bear more fruit to your glory. Give us strength to endure the pruning process and to let others see that as I abide in you, you are glorified. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, That it many bear more fruit.
**** ****
This year’s crop of blackberries was spectacular! In January and February huge white blossoms began to appear; foretelling the fruit that was to come. For minutes at a time I would watch the contributing work of the bees, pollinating and buzzing among the flowers. I took note when fallen petals revealed young berries; the hope of better things to come. The weather warmed more and the sunshine brought forth plump, dark berries. For several months, beginning in April, my family enjoyed fresh blackberries. Yum!
The intense heat of the summer months was harsh on the bushes. A few blossoms turned into berries, but the main crop was now over. I had to begin planning for the fall and pruning. I talked to my friend Diane Riessmueller who has the ultimate functioning garden. She told me that I needed to look closely at the branches and prune those that bore fruit, all the way back to its off shoot. The branches that didn’t bear fruit need to be cut off back to the cane at the soil line. Those very young branches that didn’t bear fruit can get plenty of nutrients to mature and eventually blossom. The pruned branches will grow new shoots which also will eventually bear more fruit.
Today’s verse is from a beautiful passage in the Book of John (13:1-11). Jesus is speaking to his disciples about his relationship to them and to God, the Father. The metaphor of the Vine, branches, fruit, and vinedresser was (and still is) very understandable. Verse 1 establishes Christ’s divine authority. “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” Verse 2 speaks directly about productive and unproductive followers.
Our focus today is on pruning. This can come in all sorts of forms. Hardships, trials, sudden challenges, and health issues are examples that we can relate to. Yes, pruning is painful. Sometimes it seems as if we can’t recover from severe and harsh things in our life. But, if you are abiding in Christ (verse 4), then you will bear more fruit after being pruned. These verses offer hope and promises, through the love that the Father has for us.
Let’s read John 13:1-11 and meditate on the wonderful plan God has for each of us through our relationship with Jesus Christ.
**** ****
How magnificent you are oh Heavenly Father! Your word reveals how you help us grow and mature and bear more fruit. Though this involves painful pruning, we have the assurance that we will bear more fruit to your glory. Give us strength to endure the pruning process and to let others see that as I abide in you, you are glorified. In Jesus’ name, amen.
posted by Karen Vaughn | 8:34 AM
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