Lessons from the Grape Vine

Scripture: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 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 …”

While gardening recently, I had had to cut back a plant that was very “viney”. I don’t remember what my cousin told me the name of the plant was, but during the 6 months the house had been vacant, this plant cascaded down the wall, streamed across the patio left, right and center, and begin swallowing up a good portion of the ground.
It took several days, but I had to trim back this out of control vine plant. As I trimmed and discarded the vine from the patio area, I noticed how strong the vines were, how they had wrapped themselves around a wrought iron gate, streamed towards the water hose, and began taking over the back yard. I imagine that if there had been a time lapse film of this plant growing, it would be the inspiration for a horror movie. In fact, I told my friend, “I can see why they make scary movies about vines grabbing people!” A tendril would get stuck in my hair while I was working underneath, and as I pulled away, the vine would follow me for a little bit before it released my hair. I’d grab a pile of clippings to put in the trashcan, but there would be one vine I had forgotten to clip, and it wouldn’t snap with a tug – I had to take my shears to it.

Further reflection continued when after a single day, the vines, once clipped, died within 24 hours. I was surprised at the rapidity of deterioration after a single day of being clipped from the main vine.

This all reminded me of John 15, and I couldn’t help but think about how Jesus used a vine as an analogy of Himself and towards us as believers.

Far distant from being a vineyard keeper or farmer, I decided to do a little research about grape vines, and the information I found was very interesting!

Part of my research revealed the following: “In order to produce fruit, grape vines need sunlight. Grape vines will certainly grow in shaded areas but sunlight is the catalyst for fruit bearing vines! Shade limits a vine's ability to formate buds and cause flowering buds to simply drop to the ground.”

So we learn that in order to produce fruit, grape vines (which is very likely the word picture Christ used) need sunlight .. or, in our case, Son Light to bear fruit. Shade (distance from the Son) limits a vine’s ability to grow fruit!

And then check out this compelling fact: “Nearby trees can produce bothersome shade along with a host of other problems. Birds, deer, rodents, rabbits and raccoons all pose a threat to your vines. Nearby trees can also rob soil of needed moisture. Neighboring trees and woods may contain wild grape vines that have diseases and detrimental insects.”

So not only do vines grow heartily in Son Light, but other plant life (people) can create shade (distance from the Son) for the vine (believers). So vines must be protected! I believe the birds, deer and rodents mentioned all represent “distractions” in our lives that keep us from being all we can be, and prevent us from bearing the best fruit possible. Other trees (people) “can rob soil of needed moisture”. Ever had someone come into your life that just drained you of all emotional resources? Sometimes people will cross our paths that exude nothing but negativity, and no matter what positive way you speak to them, they resist any other perspective. After a while, our own faith begins to wilt unless we create distance for ourselves in order to protect ourselves.

So we learn that not only do grape vines grow well in sunlight, must be protected from shade and predators, but furthermore, “Grapevines need proper training and pruning during the first three years. Once they start producing fruit, annual pruning is needed to maintain the balance between vegetative growth and fruit production. If grapevines produce too much fruit in one year, they will not produce a good crop next year and could suffer winter damage. If grapevines produce too little fruit one year, they will produce too many shoots and leaves that year.”

What an excellent example of the Christian life. Once we accept Christ into our lives, it is always important to be planted in a church community in order for our knowledge and faith to grow regarding who Christ is, and what is expected of us as newborn Christians. This is the “proper training and pruning” mentioned above. The more we stay planted, the stronger our faith grows and strengthens. Another point I discovered is that “grapevines need a trellis or some other support to help them grow.” We also need a community of believers around us to help us continue walking the straight and narrow. Otherwise, like my unchecked vine plant, we as believers will end up going in every direction except for the PROPER direction God meant for us.
There is also a lesson about balance here. Some Christians go all out in their faith all at once, but sometimes, some find themselves giving too much of themselves without restraint and consequently, burn themselves out. Remember, even Jesus pulled away from the crowds to commune with His Father alone, (Matthew 14:23, Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12) as well should we.
So take it from the grape vine: Stay in the Son, don’t allow yourself to get distracted, trust the Gardener to protect you, stay accountable to others within your church community group and grow, grow grow!!

Prayer: Lord, we ask You to help us all to take the lessons from the grape vine, and remain close to You at all times, keep us from the distractions of our daily lives, and protect us from elements that threaten to harm our strong faith in You. Help each of us to take comfort in our church community in times of need, and help each of us to continue to grow spiritually in You every day. Amen