Thursday | Week 12

It’s About the Fruit

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful”
John 15:1-2

Even before we moved into the house, I noticed the tree standing between our property line and neighbor’s house. Ragged and ugly, it made me wonder about the wisdom of moving into the cul-de-sac. Later, I saw my neighbor out lopping off limbs, making the tree look even more awkward. With curiosity piqued I asked what he was doing. “It’s a pear tree; harsh pruning promotes new growth and fruit.” Now I understood the look of the tree, though I still questioned why it had to be so close to my property. Later that tree produced an abundance of pears.

Years later a new neighbor moved in. One day while outside, he asked me what was wrong with the tree. When I explained what the previous owner had done, he looked disgusted and walked away. There have been other subsequent neighbors living in that house. None have cared to prune the tree. In some ways, while the tree looks more normal (it may never look good), it no longer lives up to its fruit bearing capability. In a way, you might say, the tree suffers from neglect.

The words of Jesus in John 15:1–2 remind us that God will not neglect us. However, his attention will likely have less to do with our appearance, our comfort or our ego than it will our fruit. Pruning can rarely be called a pleasant experience even when lovingly performed. Discipline, hurt and suffering can be the tools the Vine-dresser uses to prune away anything detrimental to the production of fruit. Often the pain of the pruning is only distantly remembered when seen in the light of the abundance of the fruit. 

Shortly after the disciples received these words, they experienced confusion, fear and pain as the crucifixion took place. Yet what joy they experienced when they witnessed the resurrected Savior and later the harvest of souls as the church multiplied. We too are called to bear fruit, to bring the comfort which we ourselves have received to those who need to be comforted. To bear the fruit of peace, joy, hope and love in a world in dire hunger for goodness and light.