Day 21: This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit...
The disciples are still puzzling over and pondering Jesus’ words about receiving whatever they ask for from God, but Jesus keeps going. He knows he must put these words in perspective, so he leans forward slightly. The torch nearest him flickers on his face, but the disciples sense the light in his eyes is coming from inside his soul. He says the words slowly, hoping they catch all three phrases, and perhaps he wraps a few more words around what he says.
“This is to my Father’s glory” (you receive what you ask for) “that you bear much fruit,” (because, of course, what you, the branch, will ask for is more fruit) “showing yourselves to be my disciples” (ah, Jesus thinks to himself, my Father will know that my life has been transferred to you when your fruit hangs heavy on the branch).
The love he has for this unlikely group of people seems to warm the chilly evening. A few smiles and approving nods ripple through the small cluster of disciples.
vineyard metaphor
Most people plant a vineyard for its fruit rather than than for the purpose of having something beautiful on their property. Jesus has repeated the importance of bearing fruit, much fruit, several times on this chilly night in the vineyard. This time he ties fruit-bearing to evidence of being his disciples and how that will bring glory to the Father, the Gardener.
A vineyard manager takes great satisfaction in the orderly rows of vines, the health of the soil, and the contentment of the laborers. But the greatest proof of a good manager is in the quantity and quality of the fruit that is produced in that vineyard. In every wine region, there are certain vineyards that are known for their excellent management which produces exceptional fruit. Wine makers pay a premium to buy fruit from those vineyards that have a great vineyard manager, and they will proudly display the name of the vineyard on their label.
A good vineyard manager, or gardener, takes what is given to them – the soil, the vine, the weather – and works with it to produce the best fruit.
There are amendments that can be made to the soil and decisions to be made about water, nutrients, and pest control. But the vineyard manager cannot do the work of the vine. The vine must work according to its nature and send water and nourishment out to the branches, and the branches and leaves, in turn, must do the work of photosynthesis to nourish the vine. In the end, good fruit, and therefore, good wine, requires a symbiotic working relationship between the gardener and vine. Wine is, after all, “the fruit of the earth, and the work of human hands.”
Take a moment to ponder the metaphor of the symbiotic relationship between the Gardener, the Vine, and the branches which bear the fruit.
The Vine is not fruitful without the branches and the Gardener’s careful tending. The Gardener cannot produce fruit without the Vine, and the branches have no fruit if they are not attached to the Vine. In the end, it is the vineyard manager who receives the accolades for the precious and rare fruit that is much sought-after by winemakers. Both the Vine and the branches, which bear the fruit, are beloved and tended by the Gardener for one reason: fruitfulness.
Reflection and Meditation
Breathe in the invitation to belong to the Vine that is tended by the Father.
What shifts inside your heart as you ponder the possibility of this intimate relationship?
As a branch, if you rest…remain…abide…make your home in the Vine that is Jesus, you will bear much fruit to the glory of the Father, the Gardener.
Feel the joy of attachment to the Vine and offer your fruitfulness with gratitude to the Father.
“Jesus says that if you want to be able to produce fruit, you don’t have to strive for it. You don’t have to work for it, you don’t have to manufacture it. You don’t have to lose sleep over it. All you have to do is concentrate on abiding, and I am going to pulse to you, give to you, offer you everything that you need to be able to live a fruitful, productive life that brings me glory. ”