The study I'm in right now is Secrets
of the Vine, written by Bruce H. Wilkinson. I've known the
illustration of the vine and the branches for a long time.
“I am the true vine, and My Father is
the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He
takes away; and every branch
that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. “
Jesus speaking - John 15:1-2 NASV
It seemed clear to me what the first
verse meant by “takes away.” Thrown away, removed, discarded.
Imagine my surprise when I learned the Greek word “airo” - which
is translated here as takes away – is the same word used when the
disciples “took up” 12 baskets of food.
The author shared the story of a
vineyard owner explaining what was done in a physical vineyard to
branches that weren't bearing fruit, that had fallen down into the
dirt, splashed by rain and mud. Someone would take a bucket of water
and, kneeling down beside the grape vine, he would lift the vine
trailing into the dirt and clean it off. Then he'd reposition it on
the supports where the sun could reach it.
If God's desire is for us to do good
works to glorify Him … to bear fruit … cleaning us up (making us
aware of our dirty sinful condition and forgiving our repenting
hearts) produces that result much better than cutting us off and
throwing us away.
The image in my mind of God holding me
up out of the dirt and washing me off so I can receive nutrition from
the sun is thrilling. I don't want to spend my life in the dirt...
trailing along in a sickly, nonproductive way, trapped and unable to
lift myself onto the support with my own efforts.
Oooooh! I like it!
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