the gardener Jesus...

 

“I am the vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that does not bear fruit, while every branch in me that does bear fruit he prunes, so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word." (John 15:1-5).

I have spoken to you. Remain 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.”

So, here is Jesus talking about cutting off some branches and pruning others. I got curious. Is there a difference? I didn’t think so until I struck me that He cuts some off (the ones who do not bear fruit), and prunes others (the ones that do). Of course, I went to see Mr. Google and asked it if there is a difference between cutting off and pruning. Well, lo and behold, there is.

Trimming (another term for cutting off) applies to removing overgrown branches. Excessive overgrowth is harmful to the plant because it reduces the amount of moisture and light a shrub receives. On the other hand, The idea behind pruning is to prevent loose or dead branches from harming other plants or people. Removing these branches allows the tree's flowers and fruit to flourish. It is meant to stimulate the tree and eliminate diseased or pest infected branches.

With the process of trimming, Jesus removes those overgrown branches in our lives,  He takes away the baggage we bring when we first come to Him that prevents us from getting the needed light and moisture that we need to survive, the word that He gave us.

Once we have received that light and moisture, His word, then He begins the process of pruning. A couple of things here: While trimming is mostly about us, pruning is meant to “prevent lose or dead branches from harming other plants or people.” This is more about others, about how we affect others, be it with our attitude or our behavior. By removing these branches, our flowers are more beautiful, and our fruit more desirable, and this can only happen when we stay attached to the vine, the main stalk of the plant, Jesus.

I remember long ago, in our Miami house, we had a huge mango tree that we inherited from the former owner. The tree was old, and the height had gotten out of hand. We had no choice but to hire someone who came and cut it down, took away most of the higher branches that were not only a nuisance to try to harvest, but an electrical danger as well. Then we watched in awe, as he began to prune every branch left, leaving the tree in only the trunk and a few naked branches. It took about two years, but after that time, we started to see the leaves, the flowers, and then the fruit. I have never tasted a more sweet and juicy mango. The end fruit was delicious.

I’m thinking that is what it means to remain in Him. Pruning is painful. Ugly even. Yet what delicious fruit will we be able to show the world once we receive the Word He gives us and allow Him to shape our life so that the other plants around us can grow and flourish along with us.

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