David Bahn – Reflections

John 15:1-11

[Jesus says,] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he [lifts up], and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

In his book, Secrets of the Vine, Bruce Wilkerson observes that there are four kinds of fruitfulness described by Jesus here. They are:

• No Fruit (v. 2)
• Some Fruit (v.2)
• More Fruit (v. 2)
• Much Fruit (v. 5,8)

Wilkerson observes that the Greek in verse 2 describes a process that is best understood not as “taking away” those branches that do not bear fruit, but as “lifting up” those branches in him that bear no fruit. This is important when taken in the context of the verse itself, and in the context of actual practice of cultivating grape vines. In the context of actual practice of cultivating grape vines, those branches connected with the vine that do not produce fruit are often in the dirt, or not well positioned to receive sun and nourishment to bear fruit. They are therefore lifted up out of the dirt and cleaned off and positioned in such a way that they are able to produce fruit. That’s the actual practice. Notice, also the verse itself. Those branches connected to Jesus (he says, “in me”) are being spoken about here. Jesus won’t cut off those branches that are connected to him. If we are in him and are not producing fruit we need to be repositioned and lifted up so that we may produce fruit.

That may be very encouraging if you are in a place of fruitlessness at this time in your life. Jesus will surely lift you up so that you may produce fruit. You need not fear being cut off if you’re connected to the Vine. If you are connected with him you will surely produce fruit. Jesus will see to that.

Abiding Time is an invitation for all God’s people to rest in God’s presence, for the sake of fruitful living. We see it as a gift from God that requires a certain amount of discipline, and embrace it because it is important.