I am the true vine – 19 February 2009

Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts away every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit.  But he trims clean every branch that does produce fruit, so that it will produce even more fruit.” John15:1,2 [CEV]

This image would have meant a lot to Jesus’ audience, as many, many vines were grown all over Palestine.  Here are a few things you might not know about vines:

·          A young vine is not allowed to fruit for three years and is drastically cut back each year to develop and conserve its energy.

·          When mature a vine is pruned in December and January.

·          A vine has two types of branches, those that bear fruit and those that don’t. The branches that don’t are drastically cut back so they don’t drain the plant’s strength.

Jesus continues:

I am the vine, and you are the branches.  If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit.  But you cannot do anything without me. John 15:5 [CEV]

How will you stay joined to the vine?

Pray - find time this week to look at this prayer video(4mins) use it to help you pray.