Today let’s read John 15:1-8. 

“I am the true vine and my Father is the vinedresser.” (John 15:1 BSB)

It’s that time of the year again, Spring. I have this rose bush that I love. I was looking at it the other day as I walked by and was reminded that I need to tend to it, if I want it to produce the beautiful flowers it produces in a few months. I can see signs of life, but before it really grows and becomes what it was meant to be it needs to be pruned. Sometimes when I am finished cutting off the dead branches, it looks like there is almost nothing left. But give it time. It will be beautiful again this year! 

Jesus tells us that He is the true vine. We are the branches connected to Him. Our Heavenly Father is the vinedresser. The Heavenly Father loves His vine! He wants what is best for it that it will bear much fruit. He cares for it. He cuts off the dead branches and tends to the vines needs insuring its growth and productivity. He is invested in His Vine (Jesus) and the connected branches (Us)!  

Our lives are meant to be lived connected to the “True Vine”. As we are connected, our Heavenly Vinedresser will care for us. He will insure we are watered, watched over, and pruned. The things that are dead in us (sin) need to be cut off and removed for us to really grow and be the beautiful branch He intends for us to be. Our role is to live connected to the “True Vine” and allow the Heavenly Vinedresser to do His work in our lives. 

If my rosebush could resist my pruning and demand to hold onto the dead branches it would not be able to be what it was created to be, a beautiful and productive bush. If we resist God and demand to hold onto the sin in our own lives, we will not ever produce and bear His fruit. Nor will we reflect His beauty. 

Am I allowing my Heavenly Father, the Vinedresser, to do His work in my life? 

Am I submitted to His tender care? Or do I demand to hold onto my own dead ways…(sin) ? 

Am I connected to my source of life — the True Vine? Or am I living independent from Jesus?