The vine and the branches

Looking at the cover picture of this magazine gives me great pleasure. On some sunny autumn days I was allowed to take part in the grape harvest. I eagerly cut the ripe bunches of grapes from the vines with the scissors and carefully placed them in small boxes. I left unripe grapes hanging on the vine and removed individual damaged grape berries. After a short time I mastered the sequence of this activity.
The Bible has much to say about the image of the vine, the branches, and their fruit: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 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. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (Joh 15, 1-5).

As a branch, I am placed in the vine Jesus by the vintner. However, it took me a long time to realize that I am living through him, with him and in him. Through him I was refreshed with the water of life from the depths and supplied with all the nutrients so that I am able to live. His light illuminates my life so that I can grow into his image.

Since the vine is clean and unaffected by disease, it will bear good fruit. I am happy to be one with the vine as a healthy branch. Through him I am precious and live.

Jesus showed me that without him I can do nothing. The truth is even more decisive. Without him I have no life and he would treat me like withered vines. But the wine grower wants me to bring a lot of fruit. This is possible when I am in an intimate relationship with the Vine.
I encourage you to think of Jesus the vine the next time you have a glass of wine, eat grapes, or enjoy raisins. He wants to live in a warm relationship with you too. Cheers!

by Toni Püntener