Israel in the Old Testament has been depicted as a vineyard which has failed to produce good fruit. The vines of this vineyard overtime had become corrupt, wild & useless. It began as the choicest vine of the Lord and over the years it degenerated itself to be this wild vine which bears no good fruit. With this in the hindsight our Lord Jesus declares this priceless truth that He is the true vine.

He takes the place of Israel as only through Him not only Israel but the whole of humankind can produce good fruit. Our Lord Jesus also tells us that God the Father is the owner, the gardener of this vineyard. It also tells us that He and the father are inseparable. Not only is He connected to the Father but also that the father has the authority to plant, prune, harvest & enjoy the good fruits that are produced. How much does the Father love us? How much does our Lord want to keep us connected to Him.

Have we not failed in so many things in our lives? Failed in our roles as parents, children, professionals and often wondered why? When life, circumstance, environment knocks us down we run into the church or a prayer meeting. Those who go to church may kneel & make a vow, those who come to a prayer meetings cry their hearts out at a worship, repent and find consolation & peace only to be lost in the next turn & wonder why this keeps going on. Our Lord Jesus has spoken & His words are clear, He says that “apart from Him we can do nothing”. He does not say that we will not do anything, we will & we sure have. But often He was not consulted, we did not listen to His leading and most things done without Him will only pro- duce corrupt, wild & useless fruits. But our Lord does not want us to stumble & fall. Our failure to produce good fruit does not please God our father. Therefore, our Lord is inviting us to be connected to Him like branches to the vine. To be connected to Him, His words must remain in us & we must connect to Him daily and build an intimate relationship. Then He guarantees that we will bear much fruit which is pleasing to God our Father.

Prayer: Abba Father, grant me the grace to be connected to Our Lord Jesus who is the true vine & bear good fruits which are pleasing to you. Amen