Have you seen a vine with grapes growing on it? I have. Nursery End garden centre in Accrington has one. I’ve been going to that garden centre for years, and had no idea that the plant twisted around the wooden frame was a vine – until the fruit appeared. The fruit identified the root.
To grow a plant from a seed, the seed must germinate and root. After the root comes the shoot. After the shoot, and a significant period of time, comes the fruit.
What is your fruit?
When Jesus was speaking to his disciples in John 15, he used everyday language and ideas that they would understand to reveal truths about the kingdom of God. Vines would have been something his disciples and followers would understand. They would know the importance of a strong spine and deep roots. They also knew that, to produce a greater amount of fruit next year you had to cut back two things - dead branches and fruitful branches.
I don't understand the full significance or the biological implications of cutting back something that is producing fruit. It seems counter-intuitive to me. But those gardeners amongst us may have an explanation (or you can Google it!).
As we consider the picture of the vine, let us consider the following things, that would have been similar to the thoughts of the disciples:
Is Jesus the true vine? What is the fruit of my life? What parts of my life are unfruitful and need removing? What parts of my life are fruitful and need cutting back, to produce even more fruit?
