God gives us beautiful images of the vine and the branches in the 15th chapter of John’s Gospel. Let’s take a deeper look at some of those verses and see what we can learn from them.
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.” –John 15:1 (NLT)
We know that Jesus is the true grapevine, God is the gardener, and we have the honor of being branches from the grapevine. Consider you and your heart as being a branch, an extension from the vine of Jesus. You are responsible for planting a vineyard with your life while on this earth. When you get to heaven, the fruit of your labor will be fully rewarded.
What types of seeds do you sow and harvest in your vineyard?
Who makes the seeds in your vineyard produce good fruit?
God, our Father, is the gardener of our vineyard. We need to be faithful to sow the good seeds, which He uses to further His kingdom on this earth. Let God weed out the bad fruit in our lives and then the vines won’t get choked out.
Does your vineyard look like the sluggard or a wife of noble character?
I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. –Proverbs 24:30-31 (NIV)
She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. –Proverbs 31:16-17 (NLT)
How do you fertilize your vineyard to help produce good fruit daily?
-through prayer
-reading scripture
-spending time alone with the gardener
-praising the gardener
-fellowship with like-minded people
How can you be sure to produce good fruit?
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” –John 15:4-5 (NLT)
We need to always remain united with Jesus, connected to the true grapevine. We need the power He provides to help sustain us. Our lives will then produce an abundant harvest of good fruit as He works in and through us.
Who chose you to produce lasting fruit?
You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other. –John 15:16-17 (NLT)
Jesus has chosen you to produce lasting fruit with your life and vineyard. Let the fruit of love reign overall. You will be able to serve the choicest wine with the good fruit from your vineyard. Keep harvesting the good fruit in all you do and in whom you are for the Lord.
May you be encouraged this week to…
–remain connected to Jesus, the true vine.
–sow the good seeds.
–let the gardener, God our Father, help till your vineyard.
–serve the choicest wine with your life.
–love everyone.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. –Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
