John 15:2, Amplified Bible

“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit].”

Where I am living, spring is on its way. The fallen branches are all over the ground, yet the grass is growing quickly. During this time, my husband, who takes care of the yard, asked for my help to pick up the fallen branches (I am not really an outdoor, country-living person; after a couple of hours, my sinus issues start to rise. Thankfully, my husband is very loving and kind, and he always takes care of the outdoor work) so that he could mow the lawn.

While I was picking up the dry branches, my mind went to a thought about the Father pruning. I asked myself a question, and maybe this is a question for you as well: How many branches that do not bear fruit, that are dried out, does the Father need to prune in our lives as He transforms us to be more like Christ?

I don’t know about you, but for me, I admit it would be countless: from the day I was born, carrying my sinful nature, to learning and following the ways of the world that lead to death. Even after knowing Jesus and His Word, there is still the daily struggle between the weakness and wickedness of my flesh and the holiness of His Spirit, day in and day out. “O wretched man that I am!” (Romans 7:24, NKJV). I am just as Paul said about himself, but thank you, Jesus, for the answer we also learn from Paul: “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” in response to the question, “Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” (Romans 7:24–25, NIV).

Listen to what Jesus said, “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. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.’” (John 15:1-8, NIV)

Remain in Jesus, and He will also remain in you. If you remain in Him and His words remain in you, you will bear much fruit. You will not be like a branch that is thrown away and withers, nor picked up and thrown into the fire and burned. Instead, you will be like a tree planted by streams of water (Living water), yielding its fruit. Let whoever has ears hear!