Scripture to Read: John 15:1–2
In John 14:31, Jesus’ last words were, “Get up, let us go from here.” So, they left the room where they shared the Last Supper and were on their way to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus continued to teach His disciples as they walked. Jesus said in John 15:1–2, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 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.” Those eleven disciples were familiar with the vineyards of their day. They knew what it took to have healthy vines that produced branches that bore good fruit. They knew how vital the vinedresser was to keep all the branches in the vine pruned/clean so they would produce much fruit. Jesus is our Vine, and we are the branches grafted into Him. Through Christ, we produce spiritual fruit that brings glory to God. In John 15:2, when Jesus said that any branch that does not bear fruit the Vinedresser takes away, some believe that means that people can lose their salvation because they can be taken away from the Vine. However, many theologians believe that the Greek verb “airo,” translated as “takes away,” is more accurately translated as “lifts up” (Galatians 6:1–2). It was common for a vinedresser to “lift up” a branch lying on the ground. Once the branches were off the ground, they could receive more sunlight and bear more fruit. When we repent, God restores us (lifts us) to bear fruit for Him.
Challenge & Application
• What did God teach you today about being one of His branches and bearing fruit for Him?
• How are you protecting your heart so that you stay clean before the Lord and produce much fruit for Him?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!