Day 8: While every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes
Jesus passes the fleshy shoot, the sucker he tore off the vine to illustrate his last comment, to his left. As the disciples pass the “branch that will bear no fruit” around, Jesus surveys the vine. Slowly, he bends down and, using both hands, he carefully lifts up an unruly shoot that is drooping down from the trellis and gently tucks it back into the trellis. He brushes off some of the dirt that had gotten on the leaves when they were dragging on the ground. Then, he proceeds to rip off a few leaves that might give too much shade to the tiny, budding grapes that will need more sun. He drops the leaves to the ground, dusts off his hands and reaches for his torch. Using his torch to indicate the newly cleaned and tucked branch, he says,
“While every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes…”
The disciples nod as if they understand.
Vineyard Metaphor
Jesus’ choice of words here is interesting. Some translations use the word “cleans” instead of “prunes” in this verse for the Greek word kathairo which means “to cleanse (from impurities).” It’s a word that is only used once in this form in the New Testament. Neither prune or clean seem to capture what Jesus is saying here.
The vine needs to be lifted up, some leaves need to be stripped off, and perhaps others need to have some dirt knocked off so they can better do the work of photosynthesis.
A grape vine naturally grows down and toward the ground and, if left alone, ends up trailing along the soil. A sprawling branch, with its tender green shoots and sweet fruit, is susceptible to crawling insects and disease, and it’s very difficult to harvest grapes that are lying on the ground. Additionally, a vine that crawls along the ground has the opportunity to re-root itself and sprout more vines where they are not wanted. So, except for some zinfandel vines that are head-trained, most vineyard managers choose a trellising system of some kind. Not only does this keep the fruit and tender shoots off the ground, but it gives each cane more access to the sun and air, so the leaves can do the job of collecting energy and oxygen for photosynthesis.
Once the suckering is done (or sometimes at the same time) a vineyard crew will go along each row of vines and very carefully tuck the still-pliable, tender shoots of each vine up onto the trellis. Once they are tucked, leaves that would interfere with sunlight on the fruit are pulled off and dropped to the ground. Now, the nascent fruit will be well-positioned to ripen into the beautiful fruit that is desirable for wine.
Reflection and Meditation
As you consider the metaphor Jesus is using, you may become aware that you are a branch that has been dragging on the ground.
Have you allowed natural patterns to dictate a downward growth?
Where in your life do you crave God’s help of lifting up and cleaning off? How does Jesus tenderly care for you daily, adjusting things to be sure you get the best sunlight, airflow, and support.
Thank him for that and rejoice in his love. Ask the good Gardener to continue to do this work in your life.
“Early Christians claimed that if we’re going to apprentice under Jesus and bear the maximum amount of “fruit,” then we have to have some kind of life “trellis,” some kind of support to structure our lives around what is most deeply important to us. ”