Thoughts for the Day

'I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing......

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

(Church in Wales, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

The image of the vine is a familiar one in the Hebrew scriptures (our Old Testament), and it's hardly surprising, since vines are seen everywhere in the Middle East, not just for the grapes but also to act as shade against the hot sun. But the words "I am the true vine" only appear in John's Gospel. These words are well known as one of the "I am" sayings that appear in his Gospel. The symbol of the vine is usually used for an image of the nation as a whole, or of God's people, but it often occurs in a negative sense as in Jeremiah (2.21)

We should note that Jesus says he is the true vine. In Israel wild vines do not produce good grapes. Vines need to be fixed to solid supports, they need to be protected, and also pruned each year to help them produce even more fruit. Jesus says that His Father is the one who cultivates and manages the vine, while he is the vine itself. We are the branches. Only when we are firmly attached to Jesus and he to us (not to our church or our community, but to Jesus) will we bear good fruit.

The reason for pruning is to get even better fruit on the vine, and a strong and vigorous vine brings joy and honour to its owner. When we grow fruit in the shape of qualities like love, joy, peace, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, then we bring honour to God.

Lord Jesus Christ,
You call us to be rooted in You,
through the Holy Spirit.
You know our weaknesses and our failings,
and we ask You to help us produce good fruit.
May we remain firmly attached to You,
as our main support,
and work on those fruits
that we find harder to produce.
Amen.