Dear Heavenly Father,
Your Son, Jesus Christ, said in John 15:1-5(NLT), “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.” When I first read this passage, Heavenly Father, I was puzzled. I thought to myself, “Jesus Christ is perfect through and through. How could he have any branches that don’t produce fruit?” As I continued to read on, I understood it perfectly.
You and Your Son love us so much, and You want the best for all of us. 1Timothy 2:4 tells us that You want all people to be saved, but all we need to do is look around to know that all people are not saved. Most have not chosen to make Jesus Christ Lord of their lives. Jesus Christ came to save God’s people, and during the time in which he walked the earth, God’s people were referred to as the House of Israel. They were also known as a ‘covenant people’, and this is because of the covenant God made with Abraham; it was to make him a father of many nations. God told him in Genesis 17:4(NLT), “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations!”
Your Word tells us that many of the children of Israel knew about the prophecy of the Messiah, but when he actually came to the earth, they denied him. Our Master Jesus came just as You told us in the scriptures. Biologically, he came through the bloodline of David, and was indeed of Jewish lineage according to Your Plan and Will, but many of them did not accept Jesus. Instead, they plotted against him and nailed him to the cross; even though he came to save them just as he came to save us.
Jesus Christ said in Matthew 8:12(NLT), “But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” This may seem to be harsh words, but it is the fate of all those that do not produce fruit. To produce fruit is to use our energy and effort to fulfill the commission that Christ has given us, which is to share the Gospel with others. When we share the good news that we are saved through Jesus Christ, and we serve others in his name, we are producing fruit. Some of the Israelites denied Christ and refused to do what he commanded of them. They are cut off by the Father because of this. It is what happens to all people who reject Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 10:12(NLT) says, “But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.” Thank You, Heavenly Father, that the grave could not hold Jesus. He got up victoriously, just as You prophesied. Thank You for opening our eyes so that we are not like those who are cut off. We produce fruit because we share the good news that he has saved us from hell for all eternity. Jesus commanded in John 15:4(NLT), “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.” This is what we want, Father God. We desire to remain in Christ so that our lives are pleasing in Your sight. Please continue to prune us, so that we are prepared for all You have in store.
You have called us to be obedient to Your Word, to be branches that produce much fruit. We must share, be generous in heart, be humble and teachable, and pray for others even if they have wronged us. We must tithe into Your Kingdom and follow the example of Christ in everything that we do. If we aren’t doing these things, then we are not walking by faith and walking in the Spirit as You have commanded. We cannot produce fruit if we are not obedient to Your Word. Please help us to see this, so that we can change and remain in Christ.
Thank You for giving the world Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for our sins, and thank You for Your precious Holy Spirit. For these and all other blessings, we thank You. In the powerful and precious name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.