I'm one of those weird people who likes to have a nice lawn. Admittedly, it takes work to maintain it, and it doesn't always look as nice as I'd like it to, but I try to keep up with it.
Sometime over the course of the past two years, my back yard started to be overtaken by crab grass. It was frustrating me because it didn't seem like anything I did was helping to correct the problem. By the end of this past Summer, nearly half the lawn was invaded.
So I did a little research and decided to try utilizing a yard spray that had some good reviews online. Thankfully it worked to kill the crab grass, but then I had to pull the dead clumps out of the yard and reseed the bald spots. Even though this was a lot of work, I was excited to do it because in my mind I could see a lush, healthy, green lawn, even before it sprouted. I even splurged and bought a special kind of seed, and had it shipped to me from a farm in Florida.
Within a few weeks of planting the seed and keeping it regularly watered, the new lawn emerged and I thought it looked beautiful. But the seed took a little longer to germinate than I anticipated. In fact, at one point I actually wondered if it might not sprout at all.
I believe the Lord understands the emotions and motivation that went into my efforts to grow grass because He has historically made those same kinds of investments in people. He nurtures us, feeds us, waters us, and plucks weeds from around us so they don't choke us out. As He does so, He expects us to flourish in our relationship with Him. But unfortunately, that isn't always the case.
In John 15, Jesus said, "I am the true vine." In this passage, He teaches us that we need to remain connected to Him for the nourishment we need in order to experience a life that flourishes.
I. Jesus offers us a fruitful relationship with Him. (John 15:1-2)
“ “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” ”
As Jesus was preparing for His impending execution on the cross, He took some time to intentionally teach His disciples critical things about the nature of what it means to have a genuine relationship with Him. And as He did in other conversations, He used analogies and illustrations to help His followers understand what He meant.
In this passage, Jesus referred to Himself as "the true vine." Vineyards were common in the area where these words were being spoken, so Christ's disciples could mentally envision the example Jesus was using. Jesus also described God the Father as "the vinedresser" or the one who would intentionally care for the branches in order to enable them to bear plentiful and good fruit.
Jesus was using this analogy to help His disciples understand the importance of having a fruitful relationship with Him. That concept should catch our attention as well when we read these words.
Jesus said that unfruitful branches would be taken away. I think Judas is a good example of what Jesus was speaking about. Judas appeared to be a devoted follower of Christ, yet it eventually became clear that his heart was quite distant and hostile toward Jesus. In time, Judas was taken away. He was removed because he wasn't bearing spiritual fruit.
But Jesus also teaches that the Father will prune fruitful branches in order to make them even more fruitful. At first glance, I'm sure that statement sounds fine and logical, but have you ever experienced the Lord's work to prune your life? When He does so, the end result is wonderful, but frequently the process produces short term pain or discomfort.
In His pruning, He may remove certain people from your life. He may completely alter your career. He may place you in a location that's unfamiliar. He may take away some things that you've developed an unhealthy reliance on. But why does He do so? He does so because He's invested in your growth. He wants you to have an abundantly fruitful relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ.
This passage isn't the only place in Scripture that speaks of the Lord's work to nurture and prune His people. Another good example is given to us in the book of Isaiah...
II. Jesus has invested in our fruitfulness in every way possible. (Isaiah 5:1-2)
““Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.””
For five years, I had the privilege to direct the Pocono Mountain Bible Conference. On the main level of the property, there's a courtyard between two parallel rows of cabins. The soil in that area is very rocky, and I'm told that back in the day they would organize teams of people to walk back and forth through that courtyard, gathering and pulling out stones. I believe this process took quite a while to complete, but I often think about it when I look at that level piece of ground.
In Isaiah 5, we're told of someone who clears a fertile hill of stones. We're also told that he planted choice vines on that hill, built a watchtower to guard it, and hewed out a wine vat in it with the expectation that this carefully cultivated vineyard would yield delicious grapes. But the vineyard yielded wild and sour fruit instead. Its produce was essentially useless and disappointing considering how much had been invested in it.
Jesus seems to be alluding to this passage from Isaiah when He speaks of Himself as the true vine. Isaiah's passage was prophetically speaking of the Lord's work to cultivate the people of Israel and Judah. He established them, blessed them, protected them, and provided for them, but unfortunately, they rejected Him, ignored His word, and coveted the false assurances that come with idolatry.
Ironically, the same issue is often present among those who call themselves Christians right now. Jesus has invested in our fruitfulness in every way possible. When He ascended to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell us. He gave us His word. He empowers and protects us, yet we also struggle in the same ways the people of Israel and Judah did, and I'll give you proof that what I'm saying is true.
We claim to believe the truth of His word, yet we don't even read it. The vast minority of professing Christians ever pick up a Bible to read it in a given week, which makes me think it really isn't as important to us as we say it is. We also wrestle with coveting the false promises of cultural idols, and form many of our opinions based on the influence of celebrity culture.
I'm not saying any of that to make us feel beat up, but I do want to be truthful about it so we can acknowledge where we've veered off course, and get back to utilizing the investments Christ has made in our lives to make us fruitful in our union with Him.
III. Jesus invites us to abide in Him. (John 15:3-4)
““Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” ”
Almost every time I have read this portion of Scripture, it has forced me to pause for a few moments to reflect on what Jesus meant when He encouraged us to "abide" in Him. I have often asked, "What did Jesus mean by that statement?"
When we talk about abiding in Christ, we're talking about remaining connected to Him. To abide in Christ involves living in a close relationship with Him instead of walking away from Him. A branch won't grow if it isn't connected to the vine. Likewise we won't grow if we aren't living in a healthy relationship with Christ.
So what does our union with Christ entail? What does a healthy relationship with Him look like? I think there are several characteristics worth noting of a person who abides in Christ.
Jesus remains on the forefront of their mind. He isn't an afterthought.
Their faith in Christ continues to grow and mature as they learn to trust Him more.
They practice habits and make decisions that are the fruit of His influence, and their love for Him.
They joyfully invest in their ongoing growth through prayer, fellowship, service, and the reading of Scripture.
They exhibit the fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5.
IV. Jesus empowers us to do what will have lasting value. (John 15:5)
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.””
When I was in high school, I wrote down a list of everything I wanted to accomplish in life. That list was refined a little in college, but the major aspects remained unchanged. Not long ago, it occurred to me that all the major goals I set for myself have been accomplished. That realization made me grateful to the Lord for facilitating the progression my life has taken, but I'm also wondering if it's time to write a new list since the first one appears to be complete.
I'm also noticing a particular change in my perspective. Many of my initial goals had to do with myself and my ambitions. Now I'm starting to think more and more about the legacy I'll leave behind, and if what I have invested my life in will bear fruit after I'm gone.
Then I read a verse like this, and I'm reminded of the saying, "All that's done for self will pass. Only what's done for Christ will last." Jesus demonstrates that truth in what He states in John 15:5. If we abide in Him, the true vine, we will bear much fruit. Quality fruit. Meaningful fruit. Lasting fruit. But apart from Him, we can do nothing at all, and certainly nothing of lasting value.
As Jesus spoke of Himself by saying, "I am the true vine," He was trying to help us understand the value of being connected to Him by faith. A deep and growing relationship with Him will result in peace in all circumstances, hope in trials, strength in adversity, and joy that cannot be taken from you.
Where are you trying to derive your power and your peace? For the true Christian, the answer can only be Jesus Christ, the true vine.
© John Stange, 2019
