Bear fruit that will last
By REV. DARLENE KLINE Greencastle Presbyterian Church

The gospel of John, chapter 15 talks about growing grapes; vines and branches that bear good fruit and those that don't bear good fruit and how the whole process works and should be easy to understand in our rural setting. We understand gardens, grapes, and plants that do not bear fruit, good or bad. Metaphorically speaking, the scripture is referring to Israel as the vine and God as the vinegrower who tends the vine carefully, but burns and destroys it if it is unfaithful.

I grew up in Franklin County in the country with cows, pigs, chickens, dogs, cats, and yes, grape vines, of which one arbor is still standing and provides shade on a summer day and is the residence of birds, bees, and other assorted creatures. The age of this grapevine is indeterminate, but it would be safe to say at least 70-75 years old. When I look at the circumference of the main root and how it branches, it is easy to understand the analogy that Jesus used to describe his ministry to us. For if Jesus Christ is the true vine, the main root, so to speak, and we are the branches, you can visually see where all the nourishment comes from; from Christ, the main (true) branch. God, the original good steward, prunes the vines that are dead and bear no grapes so that there is room for the good vines to grow and bear fruit, luscious, full of flavor, and bursting with color and vitality. The grapevine of my childhood has endured much over the years, ice storms, the wooden supports collapsing, and sometimes little care as my parents aged and died. However, once it was pruned of dead wood, given nutrients, and watered by the rain, it continues to bear fruit.

Nearly every parable or example in the scriptures is related to agriculture, or tending animals in the field. It was a way to reach the people in a manner in which they would understand and could relate. We know from John 15 if we pay attention to our Lord and abide by his words, we are told to 'ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.' Those are powerful words, but a simple way of telling us that God loves us so much that if we keep the commandments and revel in God's love, we will achieve shalom, bear good and delicious fruit, pleasing to God. Sometimes we try to complicate the gospel with our theological treatises instead of looking at the obvious. The prophets of the Old Testament, the words of Jesus, Paul, and the apostles tell us over and over, God loves us.

So as you go about preparing your garden for planting and pruning, take the time to meditate on what kind of branch you are on the grapevine. Is your branch of faith withering and dying, is it springing forth with new buds and tendrils, are you branching out to reach others, are you being fed at your church with God's love and wisdom? Christ appointed us to bear fruit that will last and in God's love we have that grace. Plant wisely and well so that God's love is reflected in a bountiful harvest in us all the time so that our joy may be complete in Jesus Christ.