“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you”. John 15 v 2-3
Have you ever been abroad and had trouble communicating with someone? I love to travel and I love languages too so I would always attempt to say a few words in someone’s native tongue, however there are always moments when I’m misunderstood and I resort to sign language and saying things slower and louder in the hope that I’ll somehow get through! When it comes to reading the Bible it is important that we remind ourselves that we are not reading it in its original language. Therefore it is essential we ensure that we are reading a good translation. If not we can totally misinterpret the message and believe things about Jesus that are contrary to who He is.
Today’s verses have been greatly misunderstood over the years and have left many believers feeling bewildered or in fear of the Lord, believing Him to be harsh and cruel. How far is this from the heart of the Father and the love the Son demonstrated to us as he poured out his life on the cross. That is why we must go back to the original translation and take time to understand the context of the illustrations that are used. Then we see it in a completely different light and we realise the depth of his mercy towards us and the abundance of his grace. In ancient times, the vine would have been placed on a trellis. This was normally a wooden cross like structure where the vine and the branches would intertwine together. It is actually a beautiful picture of the cross.
Now let’s look at verse 2 “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away”. The word translated “ take away” is “airo”. A more accurate translation of this word is “ to lift up.” This makes sense in terms of the methods used in viticulture in those days. You see when a vine is on the ground it cannot bear fruit. If the branches touch the ground they tend to send our suckers and basal roots that can lead to disease. Therefore the vine needs to be lifted up and wrapped around the trellis. Now does this picture begin to make more sense to us? Rather than Jesus hacking away at all the sinful areas of our lives this picture is about the Lord lifting us out of the dust, where we are naturally inclined and bringing us back to the cross.
None of us will bear fruit when we are wallowing around in the dust. Jesus knows we have been called to so much more. His heart is always to redeem us, to restore us and to set us up for future blessings! He will not cut away at us but rather lovingly lift us up. Attaching us to the foundation of our lives, his finished work, from which we will find life, freedom and joy. As we receive his life we will bear much fruit!
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Who Do You Say I Am Series – Exchange Church Belfast 2020