10/14/18 - The True Vine and The Vinedresser- John 15:1-11

One of the challenges of following Jesus is that we cannot see His physical presence. Imagine being one of the disciples when they hear Jesus say to them, "I am going to be with you just a little longer and then I must go to the Father." It's been three transformative years alongside their leader. They have given up everything to follow Him. The road ahead is tough. Peter will deny Jesus three times and the rest scatter upon Jesus' arrest. What these men need are words of encouragement and that's exactly what Jesus gives them. In John chapter 15 He speaks tenderly to His friends, assuring them that they will continue to experience His spiritual reality. He wants them to know that even though they won't see Him they are as closely connected as the branches of a vine are to its stem. Their desire to love Him and the energy to serve Him will keep flowing into and through them as long as they "abide" in Him. To abide is to remain, it is to stay connected to the true source of life and joy. God the Father is the vinedresser and He has one job - to care for the vine and ensure it produces fruit. There is none better. We aren't the best caretakers of ourselves. Oftentimes we don't see the things that need to be pruned and when we do see them we don't often have the courage to take action. Are you feeling as though the soil of your soul is dry? Are the leaves on your tree of life withering? Does the fruit of your labor taste like wax? What are you connected to? From what vines are you drawing nutrients? Jesus is our only connection with the God who gave life and who produces in us a fruitful life of righteousness and service. This is the life we've always wanted and the life that blesses others.