Branch Life; Part 1

Feb. 6

Read: John 15:1,2

Branch Life; Part 1

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” - Jesus

In a vineyard, what do you think would happen if a vinedresser came across a branch that had fallen from the trellis and was down in the dirt and mud being trampled underfoot? Think about the heart of a vinedresser… what is this caretaker of branches most concerned with? Imagine how long it takes for a potential fruit-bearing branch to sprout and grow from a vine. A vinedresser is devoted to MAXIMIZING the fruit of his vineyard. I can tell you one thing… I DO NOT THINK A VINEDRESSER WOULD BE QUICK TO CUT OFF A BRANCH. Every branch represents the hard work of his hands and his desire is to see ALL of his “branches” bear much fruit. God is the “vinedresser” and Jesus is the “true vine”. There are two clear options for those “branches who are in Jesus” : one is being “lifted up” and the other is being “pruned”.

It is not often that I think the english translation of the bible is misleading, but this may be one of those times. (I am not a Greek scholar although I have had a good bit of Greek in undergrad and graduate school.) The phrase translated here as “he takes away” is most often translated as “take up” of “lift up”. It’s primary definition is this:

“to raise up, elevate, or lift up; to raise from the ground, take up: ie stones; to raise upwards, elevate, lift up: ie the hand; to draw up: ie a fish” (Strongs G142, airo)

This is the same phrase that Jesus says to the formerly crippled man when he tells him, “take up your mat and walk.” (cf. Matt 9:6) I am not saying that it is never used to mean “take away”, but it is most often used as “lift up”. Likewise, the times that it IS used to mean “take away”… it most often involves “picking up” / “lifting up” before that thing is carried off. Why does it matter? Because when we read these verses incorrectly, we end up with LEGALISM and a FALSE GOSPEL of performance based Christianity! This is not the case. Notice how Jesus is talking about branches who are “in him”. Who is “in Christ” other than genuine children of God? Is Jesus truly trying to say that if you are a child of God… a Christian… that you better up your fruit production and if you don’t you are getting cut off and carried away? Is this Jesus trying to scare his branches into fruit production? What if these are actually words of comfort and encouragement for those who feel like they have fallen off the trellis, been trampled on the ground, and are in need of a vinedressers care? This actually makes MUCH MORE SENSE given the image of a vinedresser.

God lifts up those who are in Jesus but are fruitless, dusts them off, binds them, and cares for them so that they may BEAR FRUIT again… or maybe bear fruit for the FIRST TIME. God the vinedresser is not quick to “cut off” or “give up on” any branch connected to Jesus… in fact - he will NEVER abandon a branch that is in Christ. The one who began the good work in you is faithful to complete it! (cf. Phil 1:6) The one who planted you is not eager to cut you down and toss you away. God cares for the downtrodden branches and lifts them up because he is committed to HIS branches bearing fruit… like any good vinedresser.

The other option for a “branch in Christ” is pruning. This is for branches that have already “born fruit”. If you have been “fruitful” as a branch - the vinedresser loves you enough to “prune you”. Why? So that you can “bear more fruit”. This is counter intuitive for us as “branches”… but an involuntary cutting or taking away from us is necessary for us to be fit to bear more fruit. If we are “fruitful” we need to be cut so that we are in a healthy position to bear more fruit in the future. If all we do is “bear fruit” without any “pruning” or reduction… it is UNHEALTHY for us. It actually works against us! It breeds pride and arrogance. We will lack depth and “steadfastness”. (cf. James 1)

This morning - as a “branch in Christ” - you probably feel one of a few ways: some of you feel like you have been trampled underfoot and somewhat barren… fruitless. Take heart - God the Father will lift you up, bind you gently back to the trellis that you may grow in Christ and one day bear fruit again. He has not forgotten you. He never gives up on his branches! Others of you may be in tremendously “fruitful times” - give thanks to God for his grace and generosity… praise him for bearing fruit in you and through you. Enjoy this season. Prepare for the pruning that is coming your way. Some of you may feel like you have just come out of a time of “fruitfulness” but are experiencing a real painful cutting and removal of something or someone from your life… this is pruning. God is not malicious with his branches. He is fanatically committed to them being fruitful. The Lord knows that branches who have born fruit must be pruned. Those “pruning wounds” will mend… you will become stronger and more fit to bear even greater fruit. Mourn these painful cuts, all the while knowing that in the midst of them is joy and God is working into you “steadfastness” and the opportunity to yield even greater fruit in the future. This is what I call “branch life”… welcome to the vineyard! Love you guys. - JDP