The Vine and the Branches

     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.  You are already clean because of the word 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.  I am the vine; you are the branches.  John 15:1-5  NIV

     Jesus uses the imagery of the vine and the branches to help us understand our position in relationship to God the Father and Jesus the Son.  Jesus is the grapevine.  The grapevine sprouts from the seed and gives life to the branches.  Jesus gives life to us.  We are the branches.  The branches sprout the flowers that produce grapes which have more seeds in them.  God, as the gardener, wants all the grapes he can get.  The grapes are valuable to him.  Our job, as branches, is to produces grapes.  Jesus gives us life so that we can produce more grapes for the father.  God will do whatever it takes in our lives to help us be more fruitful.  He will prune us back, so that we will produce more grapes.  He cares for us and watches over us.  This is a process that has one goal for each participant -- bearing more fruit.
        
        Do you bear fruit?  Do you receive what you need for life from Jesus?