There is a tree that grows 40 different fruits on the same tree. Can you imagine how pretty the tree would be in the springtime? It would be gorgeous. We have a cherry tree that has three different cherries on it. However, this tree I’m talking about has 40 different fruits. Peaches, apricots, plums and much more.
When the tree was first thought of, it was an art project to reintroduce Americans to native fruit. It takes lots of planning. The base tree must be 3 years old before a graft of a different fruit is added to it. The tree then is wrapped with electrical tape to hold the pieces together. When all goes well, the veins flow into each other. There you have the beginning of a multi-fruit tree. It takes the tree nine years to reach its peak! Today there are 18+ trees of 40 fruits around the country.
I love talking about the pruning and care God does on each one of us.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 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. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, it is he that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 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. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15:1-11 ESV
I love this passage. My father is the vinedresser. Every branch that does not bear fruit is taken away, but every branch that bears fruit is pruned so that it will bear more fruit. You are already cleaned because of the word I have spoken to you.
Paul is great at repeating words. In this Scripture Paul uses the word “abide.” In other Bible versions, abide is changed to remain. I like the word abide better than remain. It means the same thing, but to me, it is a better fit. Paul uses the word “abide” in these eleven verses 10 times. It must be important if Paul used the same word 10 times. These verses are not talking about fruit, it is talking about “abide” in the father, because he is the vinedresser, and we need to be pruned into what he wants us to be so we can do his work, his plans, and his will. Without abiding in him, we are a useless branch that will be thrown away and burned up. I love abiding with the Father, the vinedresser.
God Bless,
Pastor Wanda