Kyle Groters 0:07
Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's daily dose of the Word of God. Today is Monday, May 8, and this is Kyle Groters. This week, we're journeying with Jesus from the tomb and examining the vine in John 15. Today, I'll be reading John 15, verses 1 through 2.
Kyle Groters 0:24
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.
Kyle Groters 0:38
This is a hard verse. It clearly points out a painful reality: following Jesus will mean that we will be pruned from time to time. Pruning, or trimming back in order to bring about new life is rarely a pleasant process. The gardener has to cut away, sometimes violently and severely. The branch may seem to be barely hanging on, yet the gardener knows that more fruit will come of it. The gardener makes no cut without purpose. Being branches can be hard (and) being pruned is painful, but Jesus is the perfect vine and the Father is the perfect gardener. Jesus is good. The father is good. No matter the pruning, we rest assured that we are safe in Jesus the vine, and that the father holds us closely, always seeking our growth.
Kyle Groters 1:32
What is the father seeking to prune in your heart? What needs to be trimmed back? Where is there death that risks infecting the rest of the branch? Let us go to God this week, seeking to be shaped by him in order to bring about greater fruit.
Kyle Groters 1:49
Let's pray. Jesus, we thank you for being the true vine. We thank you that we can rest knowing that we will never be separated from you, our source of life. We ask that our father would prune us wealth, the work of the Holy Spirit. Cut back those parts of us that are harboring disease and decay, (and) give us trusting hearts to know that your pruning is good. Help us trust in you and in the work that you are doing in us. Amen.