See Him: Who Makes You Fruitful

Today’s Gospel gives us a rich metaphor for the Christian life. Jesus says I am the true vine…You are the branches. Of course, we cannot help but see that the branches are totally reliant upon the Vine for everything. So it is with Christians. We need Christ. We rely upon him. He sustains us through Word and Sacrament. But in this analogy there is a clear goal. The Father, the Vinedresser, does what is necessary for the branches to be fruitful. He lifts up those who are drooping down (because grapes don’t grow like squash or pumpkins). He prunes those who need it to be more productive—and we all do! It is our Almighty God who positions and prunes us as he knows best, so that we may be as productive as he has designed us to be. Remain in Christ and you will produce much fruit!