The Vine Dresser

You know in the Bible when Jesus talks about the vineyards and the vine dresser? I pass two vineyards on my way to and from work every day.

One of them caught my attention this time last year because they were cleaning it--and again right now. They send in men who clip the vines by hand and remove the dead limbs. Then a big tractor comes in and cleans between the rows. In summer, I drive by and the vines are covered with plump purple grapes.

The other vineyard is harder to see. I only noticed it when I had to slow down for traffic one day. It is abandoned. It is all grown up and there are trees and weeds choking out the vines. When summer comes, I can hardly see any grapes at all. The bunches I can see are small and I'm sure not very tasty.

I thank God for these two vineyards. You see, I'm a visual learner. God had to provide me with both of the vineyards so I could get the full impact of his words. *See below.

If I do not abide in Him, I will produce no fruit or nasty fruit that is not good for anything. I want to be useful and must therefore accept the pruning as well as the sunlight, water and other things I perceive to be good. Pruning doesn't always feel good...but it is necessary for growth.

*John 15:1-8 (New International Version)

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 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. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will 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.

5I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to be my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.