In the video, I discuss how Jesus introduced Himself as the Vine and the purpose of our lives as His disciples. Subscribers, click here to view the video.
My husband and I have traveled to Napa quite a few times. We’ve seen multitudes of grapes growing on vines, breathing in the aroma that fills the valley during harvest. Traveling during seasons where vines have been cut back and branches appear dry and barren has been just as intriguing. Large wineries boasted a hefty staff from the vineyard owner to tour guides, while smaller wineries were established in homes where vineyards become backyards and the owner hails from a family line of wine makers.
MY FATHER IS THE VINEDRESSER
Jesus could have said the Father was the vineyard owner, manager or winemaker. God’s role certainly encompasses all of that. However, Jesus in John 15:1, specifically refers to God as the “Vinedresser.”
It is the Vinedresser who prunes and sculpts the vine. Without the skilled craftsmanship and timeliness of the Vinedresser, a vine cannot produce a high quality or quantity of grapes. The owner possesses the land, overseeing its operations but the person with the shears determines how profitable the owner and how fruitful the vine will be.
Why do you think Jesus chose to describe the Father as Vinedresser, or Gardner?
Even in the Old Testament, God likened His people to a vineyard. Isaiah gives further insight into God’s role as Vinedresser:
”A vineyard of wine, sing of it! I, the Lord, am its keeper; I water it every moment. Lest anyone damage it, I guard it night and day.” Isaiah 27:2-3
As Vinedresser, God’s care is meticulous, purposeful and constant.
Like with farming, the land of the vineyard is prepared before planting. A dormant grapevine shoot is planted after the soil has been prepared by removing rocks or debris and amending the soil for nutrients. Then, after a year, the vine is pruned all the way back to only two buds. Looking at the vine, it appears as if all the growth has been cut off. But the vinedresser knows precisely what is happening.
PURPOSE IN PRUNING
“Every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit…By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, as so prove to be My disciples.” John 15:8
Bearing fruit, or doing good works, glorifies the Father. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” What does Matthew 5:16 say about our good works?
We aren’t saved by works, but as clearly pointed out in James, our works reveal our faith and love for the Lord, allowing us to carry out the works He prepared for us. (Ephesians 2:10).
Right now, my (few) good works are mostly seen by my husband and children, as I do my best to take care of, love and support them. The Father knows my desire to care for orphans, encourage women who are hurting or serve youth. Having worked in the nonprofit sector for many years, I gravitate toward helping those who have access to very little resources. Yet, for now, God has called me to stay planted and bloom at home. Wherever you are planted, it’s just as important as where you want to be.
Where is God asking you to bear fruit? In your home, school, work, ministry?
Recently, God has been pruning me back as far as He knows I am able to handle. (He still is and always will be!) Pruning most often comes in the form of trials and tribulation. I told a friend I sensed God saying, “I am cutting away from you. Will you hold on tight until I am finished?” It has been extremely difficult and I’ve suffered days of dark depression, loss and brokenness over my sin during this season. Pruning is never easy, but God has graciously allowed certain areas of my life to flourish and bear more fruit than before. In days of defeat, God tenderly reminds me He in control, His purposes are good and that His shears are holy!
God’s strategy for cultivating a harvest almost seems contradictory. He has to prune, meaning “to cut back, to thin, to reduce,” in order to bring a bounty? Less is more?
As I think back, God cut away unnecessary commitments; He thinned by MY priorities to make room for HIS priorities and He reduced my selfish ambitions so He could fill me with HIS ambitions. Again, God is still working this process in me and will until the day I stand before Him.
God didn’t allow me to walk through some heavy trials because I was a barren branch. I’ve BEEN that barren, dry, dead branch and have walked through the discipline of the Father. I discovered this truth found nestled in John 15: If I bear fruit, God will prune me so I bear more fruit.
Trials are not necessarily discipline, punishment or even consequence. Sometimes they are simply God saying, “I see your good works and now you are ready to produce more.”
On the vineyard, pruning is the vinedresser’s only technique for ensuring a plentiful harvest. With God, it is no different. Without pruning, I will never be able to reach the full potential that God has purposed for me as a mother, wife or woman of faith.
Isn’t our prayer to be more like Him? To love like He does? To llve in His will? The answer to those prayers is found in the vineyard. Left by itself, a grapevine will simply grow foliage. Bright, green beautiful leaves with very little harvest. But the purpose of a grapevine is to grow grapes, not look pretty! And that’s why our Vinedresser will cut away the unnecessary shoots that we grow in our own strength, as Jeremiah 17:5 points out. God wants us to bear much fruit.
In your study guide, which will be available later today, we’ll explore the difference between discipline and pruning and also talk about how we can flourish in pruning.
Discussion: Share a comment on the study. How has God pruned away unnecessary branches in your own life? OR What areas of your life are producing fruit where God wants MORE fruit?
