“He answered, ‘The Scriptures say: Bread alone will not satisfy, but true life is found in every word that constantly goes forth from God’s mouth.'” Matthew 4:4 TPT
I am not a gardener. At least not a good one. Despite all my efforts (and I try a lot), all my plants end up dying fairly quickly (I’m grateful that a misguided friend of mine who asked me to look after her plants for a few months won’t be reading this blog!). Unfortunately, I am a bit of a serial plant killer.
But fortunately for us, God is not! In John 15, Jesus tells us, “I am the 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.” (John 15:1-2 NIV) How reassuring to know that a loving and good father tends to us like a good (and knowledgeable) gardener tends to plants. How wonderful that the Author of Life wants you and me to thrive, blossom and produce good fruit.
In a world that is so busy with performance and being efficient, God calls us to be fruitful. And He even gives us the secret to achieving this -“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.” (John 15:5 NIV). Closeness to God, or as the Message translation calls it, “an organic relationship” with Him, is what God calls us to in order to be fruitful. Just like plants, we need water, nutrients, and sunlight. But unlike plants, we were not only made from the dust of the ground. God breathed His breath in us, which brought mankind to life. For that reason, living off bread alone is settling for only part of what brings us life.
So, as we continue through this new year, let us choose to remain in Jesus and watch as He helps us bear much fruit and bring more life!
Heavenly Father, thank you for watching over me and pruning what needs to be removed for us, as individuals and as a body, to bear much fruit! Thank you for guiding us and helping us remain in You through all of life’s highs and lows. Guide us today and help us to display Your beauty and goodness in all we do. In Jesus’ name, amen.
