The Master Gardener

After dinner, Jesus and the disciples walked through a vineyard on their way to the Garden of Gethsemane. He said, “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”

Describing His relationship with His father and His followers. Jesus explained how His Father, the master gardener, cares for the Son, who is the vine. He and His Father prune the branches. Those who trust the Father stay connected to the vine. Apart from the vine, His followers can do nothing.

And then Jesus made an incredible promise. He said, “If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

Because the Father loved Jesus, and Jesus loved His followers, they could rest in His love, even in the midst of their chaotic lives. They could best demonstrate their love for Him by keeping His commandments in the same way that Jesus kept His Father’s commandments and remained in His love. Jesus said, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in his love.”

His instructions were simple. He told them to love each other the same way He had loved them. Foreshadowing His own death, He told them the greatest love anyone could show would be to lay down His life for his friends. He called them friends because they trusted Him and followed His instructions. All of this was part of remaining in Him.

He encouraged them to continue loving each other because the world would hate them. Even religious leaders would think that, in the name of God, they were doing the world a service by persecuting the followers of Christ. But Christ’s followers were chosen out of the world. They could find peace by remaining in Jesus, the true vine.

Today, in a world that grows increasingly complicated and hostile toward people of faith, Jesus invites you to stay connected to the vine by trusting Him to meet your needs. Like the disciples, you too can remain in the vine. Trust Christ to live in you and through you. Love Him with all your heart, soul and mind. Trust Him to love others through you.

You can remind yourself of these truths by reading Scripture on a regular basis. When Christ’s words remain in you, then you can allow His words to change you from the inside out. You can also talk about these truths with your friends and family. As you remain in Jesus, love them the way Jesus loves you.

Reflect:

How can you remain in the vine as you live your life today?

How will you know when you’re not remaining in the vine?

Pray:

Thank You, Jesus, for being the true vine. Cause me to abide in You and to allow Your words to abide in me. Produce the fruit of the Spirit in my life. Help me to love others well.

About the Author: Anne Marie Winz has been a staff member with Cru for a long time. She enjoys drinking coffee, reading good books and talking with her girlfriends. She’s married to the amazing Mark Winz.