The Gardener

I’ve been pondering the words of Jesus as recorded in John 15 for a little while. Specifically, verses 1-2 and then, probably in another post, verses 4-5. 

First, John 15:1-2: “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.” (NLT2)

Now, let me process this for a moment. According to Jesus, He is the grapevine, and God is the Gardener, who cuts off the branches that don’t produce fruit, and the branches that do produce fruit, He prunes so they will produce even more fruit. 

If God did that to Jesus and if we are trying to follow Jesus, doesn’t it only make sense that God— the Gardener- would prune us as well? 

Wouldn’t He cut off the bad branches, the ones that don’t bear fruit; while the branches that do bear fruit, He will trim away at them until they produce even more fruit. 

I’m no gardener, so I am no expert on the subject, but I have seen my wife trim away at our garden and work away at her flower pots. I have seen her remove the old, dead— or dying— parts of whatever it is she is growing, and as she does this, it makes room for new blossoms, or new growth. It’s really quite something. (and, depending on if she is weeding the garden, can be quite filling… (stomach wise..)

With all of that said, no one likes pruning. We don’t like to be told that there is something wrong with our attitude, or the way we might be living….. but if we want to be like Jesus— and that is the goal by the way, people who claim to be Christians are to be followers of Jesus… then we will have to endure seasons of pruning. 

What does that look like? Well, it’s different for everyone. We’re all different. My pruning will look different that your pruning. 

Just because you might be undergoing a season of pruning and someone else is enjoying a harvest, doesn’t mean that God isn’t at work. In your life, or in the other person’s life. 

We’re all different, and God works in all of our lives at a different time. It’s a journey. 

My journey with Jesus looks different that my wife’s journey with Jesus. But she is on the journey, as I am on the journey, so you can be sure that at some point in time, one or the two of us is, have been, or will be pruned… 

But why? Well, Jesus kinda tipped His hand. He told us that the reason the Gardener prunes is to produce even more fruit. 

What kind of fruit? 

Love. 

Joy.

Peace.

Patience. 

Kindness.

Gentleness.

Goodness. 

Faithfulness.

Self control.

These are the fruit (of the Spirit) that God wants to grow in your life. However, this isn’t something that your can do on your own. You can’t grow this kind of fruit. It’s not mass produced somewhere. You cant even find it on Amazon. (trust me on that one)

Here is how the Fruit of the Spirit is “grown”: “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives.” (Gal. 5:22, NLT2) 

God’s Spirit is at work in the lives of the people who have called upon God for salvation so that He can grow them into the people He desires them (us) to be. 

That’s an intense statement. Read it again: 

God’s Spirit is at work in the lives of the people who have called upon God for salvation so that He can grow them into the people He desires them (us) to be. 

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you can be sure that God is at work in your life. He is cutting and trimming and pulling and weeding and planting.. He is making you more and more like His Son, Jesus Christ. 

Pruning can be painful, but, when the finish product is finally revealed, it also can be quite beautiful. 

God is at work in your life. God is at work in my life. We may not understand what He is doing right now, but let’s always remember the words of Jesus. God is cutting off dead branches, while pruning good branches so that we will bear much fruit. 

Keep your head up, He’s at work.