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Jesus declared, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener… you are the branches” (John 15:1, 5 NIV).
The word true means legitimate, original, faithful (Webster’s dictionary). Jesus, Son of God, is the true Root of Jesse (true Vine of Jesse) (Isaiah 11:10 NIV). His disciples are branches supported by The Root, bearing spiritual fruit under the careful hand of Father God, the gardener.
In a vineyard, branches grow only from the main grapevine, never from another branch. After harvest, fruit bearing branches are pruned back to within an inch or two of the trunk. There, they abide in the main vine for most of the year as the trunk grows around them. Next harvest season they grow out rapidly and bear new fruit.
Sap circulates through the vine into the branches. It contains every nutrient needed for quality fruit bearing. So that sap is not wasted, non-fruit bearing branches are cut off and cast into the fire. The only goal of the vinedresser is abundant, superior fruit.
Evidence that each branch is attached to the vine is much fruit. No root, no fruit. Dependence is the key to fruit bearing. Even Jesus, the Son, was dependent on the Father. “By Myself I can do nothing….” (John 5:30 NIV).
Vine branches creep or crawl and need support. As Jesus is dependent on the Father, so I, as branch, am dependent on Jesus the Vine. Apart from Jesus I can do nothing. I must abide in Jesus to have eternal life and fruit in Him. To abide is to stay, remain stable, wait for patiently, suffer for, endure (Webster’s dictionary).
Pruning is a normal process in the vineyard. “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (John 15: 2 NIV).
As Jesus, the True Vine, conformed to the will of His Father, the Gardener, so must I conform to Jesus’ will. As Jesus obeyed, in full dependence and devotion; so must I.
Joined with Jesus “the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing … I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, He gives you” (John 15, The Message).
“Whatever you ask … He gives you.” What a promise! What fruit do you long to see produced through your life and prayers? Ask and you will receive. He promises.
You have not chosen Me,
but I have chosen you and
I have appointed you
I have planted you,
That you might go and bear fruit and
keep on bearing,
and that your fruit may be lasting
that it may remain, abide,
so that whatever you ask the Father
in My Name
as presenting all that I AM,
He may give it to you.
(John 15:16 AMPL)
Live in Jesus, the True Vine. Intimate union with I AM produces Prayer Power, eternal life and lasting fruit.
Questions: Please comment on the phrase, “I have planted you, that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing …”. What fruit are you longing to see produced in your life?
About the Author Petey Prater
Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Thinking Like a Servant, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog
Tags: disciples, fruit, fruit bearing, harvest, Jesus, Petey Prater, prayers, promises, pruned, Root of Jesse, son of god, true vine
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As a new Pastor I was lead to read John 15 with the leaders of the congregation and since then this scripture keeps coming up. Last night in bible study we talked about the importance of having a prayer life with Christ, individually and collectively if we were to grow the ministry. I also shared with them the important of producing spiritual fruit. Which all ties in to being the branch connected to the vine. Alll of this just confirms that God is directing and guiding my path and direction in leading His people. I desire the prayer of those that have been called to pray for ministries such as ours.
Dear Deborah, Isn’t it wonderful when the Holy Spirit shows up over and over in our lives to underline what Father is saying. I love it. I’ve had an intercessory prayer grp meeting weekly at my house for about 45 years. No ministry is more rewarding, or yields greater fruit. Nothing spiritual happens without prayer. Get your people praying! Blessings on your ministry. Petey Prater
Dear Petey Thanks for the prayer and the words of encouragement. I know that I am on the right track by talking and teaching on the power and effects of having an active and productive prayer life. Please continue to pray for Hope Outreach Ministries.
That was a wonderful piece. It made me think about what I wanted to come into fruition, and the best way to achieve my goals.
Dear Danielle, I find it wonderful that as I ‘abide’ in the vine – fellowship, Word, prayer- that fruit automatically grows. His sap (blood) courses through my veins and produces life and fruit. Check out this reference also: Ezekial 47:12. He promises our fruit will be for food for others and our leaves will heal the nations if we will stay rooted in His river. Love it. blessings, Petey
Petey, I understand the fruit growing automatically concern but then there are times when I get anxious when it doesn’t happen that way. So I am praying for patience knowing that God’s word is true and won’t come back to me void. So agree with me if you will that patience will become evident in my life, epecially in the manifestation of the blessings of God. Peace and Blessings, Deborah
thank you
Hi there, Forced growth isn’t the best kind. And we can’t ‘make’ spiritual fruit ourselves, only the Father can do that. There are seasons of our lives for everything. Once I asked the Lord to ‘help me respond appropriately in every situation.’ I found Him doing that as self control gave way to Christ control. He promises He will complete what He has begun in us. That encourages me. Lord, help Deborah grow the fruit of patience (with herself, others, and You) and self control. Show her the growth in her life so she is encouraged to keep on keepin on. Amen love, p
Thanks for the prayer and encouragement and reminding me of what the word of God says. Deborah