This spring, I have done more pruning than ever before. Pulling away what is dead is one thing but cutting down what is alive is quite another thing. The rose bushes cut down to their knees, the cypress trees as far up as I could reach, the blueberry and butterfly bushes down to my knees. All this pruning surrounded by questions. What is too much or too little? And is this the right time? Now, weeks later, miraculously everything has survived. Actually, everything is flourishing, growing. I am relieved and calm.
I wonder, what must it be like to be the Divine Pruner? I assume that means knowing just what needs to be removed and when. How wonderful to be so wise and clear and free! The Vinegrower of course knows exactly what pruning is necessary to make every branch bear more fruit.
Now that I am calm and seeing good results from pruning my own garden, I am more enthusiastic about being pruned myself. Sometimes the idea of being pruned has been shadowed by fear and remorse. Yet Jesus talks about it in terms of love and belonging, as growing the capacity for mutual abiding — in his love and in the Vinegrower’s love. Fruitfulness, good fruit, is the result. He is the vine, and we are the branches. That is alluring and exciting.
Reflecting on Jesus’ illustration of pruning just four weeks after his death and resurrection brings that green hill outside Jerusalem to mind. The wood of the cross on Calvary was the place of miraculous transformation for him and for our world. Earth shook, darkness poured over the land, rocks split open, and the suffering Vine of the world was cut down. Then glorified.
Jesus’ resurrection was a going home for him, but a going home that changed his and our reality. The cutting down on Calvary resulted in eternal fruitfulness. Now his light shines in us and through us relentlessly for we share in his resurrection power. That power flourishes as we are continually pruned and thus able deepen our abiding in him. I want to remember the value of pruning, so vital to being at home in him and bearing fruit together, and be eagerly receptive.
–Ann Dean, Dayspring Church
Reflection Questions
- What resistance to pruning is in you?
- How might Jesus’ assurance of mutual abiding inspire you to new action?
- What example of resurrection power do you see in your life?
