Articles
“Hopeful Pruning”
“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 does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
John 15:1-2
In the middle of what is sometimes called his “farewell discourse,” Jesus prepares his disciples for his imminent departure by exhorting them to remain in him (Jn. 15:1-8) and to love one another (Jn. 15:9-17). This love flows organically from abiding in his teaching and example, just as a branch must remain attached to the vine in order to keep growing and bearing fruit. Certain branches (faithful disciples) are pruned to bear more fruit (Gal. 5:22-23) and receive whatever they ask for in keeping with God’s will (Jn. 15:7, 10). Others, who abandon Christ, will be cut off and burned (Jn. 15:2, 6).
One of my duties is to care for our landscaping at the church building. It doesn’t take much: weeds need pulling in the summer and litter is always being blown into our plant beds, but the automated sprinkler system takes care of irrigation during dry weather and a crew comes to spread mulch in the spring. Recently I’ve had to pull out several bushes that have mysteriously dried up and some of our dwarf crepe myrtles, which are known for being trouble-free, have looked a real mess.
The problems—I think—are two-fold. First, the trees on the east side of the building have developed a powdery black coating. They probably have what is called sooty mold, an unsightly, but relatively harmless, fungal disease caused by aphids. It doesn’t attack the plant. I’ll be keeping keeping an eye on it this spring but am trying to avoid fungicides. I welcome advice about the matter from any of you green thumbs.
The other problem is due to a lack of pruning or, at least, improper pruning. The many inward growing branches, branches growing too close together, suckers growing from the trunk or simply dead or broken limbs have given the trees a rangy, messy appearance. New growth emerged every spring creating a forest of tangled, whiplike shoots that were too weak to support their flowers so that, by summertime, some branches bent to the ground with their weight. I’ve had to ruthlessly cut back the trees to clear out all the clutter. It’s an aesthetic sacrifice (right now, I’m sorry to say, they look like ugly hat racks) but hopefully it will only last a year or two before they bounce back.
Now, it may turn out that I have completely ruined these trees, in which case I will swallow my pride and either nurse them back to health or plant new ones. But the point is this: as Christians, we have a divine Gardener who knows what he’s doing. If we remain in Christ, following his instruction and example, we will continue to bloom. The same righteous virtues he exhibits will flower in our lives (Gal. 5:22-23). He is the source of life, the “true vine.” The vine was a common symbol for Old Testament Israel (Psa. 80:9-16). But whereas ancient Israel proved either unproductive or diseased (Isa. 5:1-7; Jer. 2:21; Mk. 11:12-20), the church of Christ blossoms.
But how does the Father “prune” the branches? First, no fruit-bearing branch is exempt: if you are growing, expect to be pruned. Second, the purpose of pruning is for increased growth, so that we can become even more fruitful. But this procedure is painful and involves receiving our Father’s loving discipline (see Heb. 12:4-11). If we allow that discipline to instruct us and remain steadfast through our trials (Jas. 1:2-4; 1 Pet. 1:6-9) our Father clears away the excess and we will grow. But we have to allow ourselves to be pruned. Many things sap our spiritual strength and hinder us from being fruitful (Lk. 8:14). Jesus said, “Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.” (Jn. 15:3) The cleaning process had already begun for the apostles. Jesus’ words, when we obey them, are like the shears that cut out the dead and unproductive shoots. Lastly, if we are not bearing fruit then such dead wood is cut off so that the fruit-bearing branches can have more room to grow. This is a clear warning of the consequence of apostasy. God help us abide in Christ, keep his commands and love one another!
