Lessons from the Vine

Read John 15:1-9.

There are many lessons to be learned from the Parable of the Vine and Branches. Here are a few of them:

I am the vine, ye are the branches (John 15:5a).

The branches on a grapevine will not live apart from the vine. If they are broken off or disconnected from the vine, they will wither, bear no fruit, and die. The vine is their life source. Jesus is the Vine and we are His branches. Without Him, our life is without meaning, bears no fruit worth having, and will, in essence, wither and die.

Anyone who has grown grapes will tell you that the branches must be pruned or eventually they will die. Cutting away the unhealthy parts of our lives is a painful process. It often involves suffering, but it is beneficial in the long run. It allows us to stay strong and bear much fruit. The Vinedresser carefully cuts away the parts that need removing and cares well for the branches. In addition, John tells us that if a branch continues to bear no fruit, it is eventually removed and thrown into the fire.

The branches should recognize the superiority of the Vinedresser and the vine. Remember, the branches that bear the most fruit hang the lowest on the vine because the abundance of fruit weighs them down. This should remind us to stay humble. Life is not all about us but about our Lord and His kingdom.

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