Reflection - The Vine and The Branches

by Pastor Netani Bolatolu

While I have no experience at all in grape farming, I have some experience in root crop farming, like yam. 

Late last year I planted about thirty plants of yams around the manse. I am happy at how the vines have grown especially during this wet season and I look forward to seeing its crop at harvest time in 6-8 months. 

Even though growing grapes and yams differ, they both grow vines. One bears fruit on its vine and the other has a crop in its root. One thing is certain, that as a farmer/ gardener you expect to reap a crop come harvest time.

While the passage, John 15:1-8, is well known to most of us, I want to draw our attention to what I think is relevant to our season of renewal. 

I think we can all agree that the heart of the passage focuses on the importance of ‘remaining’ (appearing 11 times in the passage, and four times in verse 4 alone). 

However, I would like to highlight the work of the Father in the story.

It is clear from this passage that God (the gardener) requires fruit from us (branches). And because He requires fruit from us, firstly ‘He cuts off every branch that produces no fruit.’ 

This phrase suggests a few things about God as a gardener. 

Like every gardener, God is prudent. God doesn’t think twice about removing branches that do not bear fruit. He cuts them off. 

Yes, He’s a God who is gracious and loving but when it comes to bearing fruit, God means business. He expects nothing but fruit from us. 

It doesn’t say He tends to the unfruitful branches, nor prunes them, nor cares for them, instead God cuts them off. 

Secondly, God prunes/cleans the branches that are producing fruit so that it bears more. Again, the gardener is clear in his intention which is fruitfulness. 

Though the branch may not realise this and may get distracted by the discomfort of being pruned, it will certainly experience greater fruitfulness as a result. 

Renewal then, in this passage, comes in two ways. It comes by way of cutting off and by pruning. Both of which are the works of God, the gardener, through His word. 

As we continue our journey on renewal, the biggest question is what branches (ministry/relationship/partnership) has God severed and is asking us to let go of so that renewal (fruitfulness) can occur?

And how are we responding to the pruning God is doing by letting go of anything that doesn’t align with our pursuit to be fit for his purpose? Whether it’s bad habits, pride, bitterness etc, may we persevere in the grace God has given to us. 

So just as I’m expecting a harvest of yams in about 6-8 months, God expects fruitfulness from me/us when His harvest time comes, as a result of his renewing work in us. Amen!

Key Questions

As we continue our journey on renewal, what branches (ministry/relationship/partnership) has God severed and is asking us to let go of so that renewal (fruitfulness) can occur?

How are we responding to the pruning God is doing by letting go of anything that doesn’t align with our pursuit to be fit for God’s purpose?