Jesus says, “I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinegrower.  He removes every branch in Me that bears no fruit.  Every branch that bears fruit He prunes to make it bear more fruit.  You have already been cleansed by the Word that I have spoken to you.  Abide in Me as I abide in you”  John 15:1-4a

Jesus says this after He and the disciples have left the Upper Room.  They walk the vineyard valley in the Kidron in the light of a full moon during Passover time.  They walk through those magnificant vineyard gates of gold inlay on the huge open bronze gates to Herod’s temple, gates which were imported by ship from Greece.  Jesus is dearly loving His followers and will soon give them a commandment, a warning, and a re-emphasis on expecting the Holy Spirit.

With His words today, Jesus gives us this unique imagry of Him as the True Vine and our Heavenly Father as the Vinegrower.  This is a cherished gift to us.  We are His fruit bearing disciples.  Whether we know vines that bear grapes, pumpkins, tomatoes, watermellons, olives or chillies, we understand what He is saying to us!  The cleansing by the Word is New Birth in Him!

We, His believers, are tightly connected to Jesus and God does our pruning.  We bear fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  (Galatians 5:22).  Does pruning hurt?  Pruning will not hurt anything except your pride.  For, remember Jesus’ example for you as He washes the disciples feet, laying aside all pride and showing us humble servanthood to our Heavenly Father.  Yours is a prideless attitude, clean hearted, bearing fruit.  Jesus shows us how to.                                           `