John 15:1-2 NKJV
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 bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
In this powerful metaphor, Jesus reveals our dependence on Him. He is the “true vine”—our source of life, strength, and spiritual fruitfulness. The Father, the vinedresser, lovingly tends the vine, pruning it to ensure growth and abundance.
Pruning is often painful, as it involves cutting away what seems necessary or comfortable. However, it’s a process of refinement, not rejection. Hebrews 12:11 reminds us, “No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.” God’s pruning prepares us for greater fruitfulness in His kingdom.
The fruit God seeks in our lives reflects the character of Christ—love, joy, peace, patience, and more (Galatians 5:22-23). By staying connected to Jesus through prayer, His Word, and obedience, we allow His life to flow through us. As Charles Spurgeon said, “Our fruitfulness is not of ourselves—it is the product of His life within us.”
When life brings challenges, view them through the lens of the vinedresser’s care. He is working to remove what hinders your growth and to strengthen your faith. Jesus assures us in John 15:5, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
Today, abide in the true vine. Trust the loving hands of the vinedresser, knowing that His pruning is producing lasting fruit for His glory.
