INTIMACY WITH GOD – PART 2 – Intimate Dependency

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” – John 15: 1, 2

Jesus used this illustration to show the intimate relationship between the Husbandman/Vinedresser, the Vine and the branch. We can learn so much about this intimacy by studying the natural grapevine.

THE VINEDRESSER/HUSBANDMAN
It is the vinedresser who decides where the vine is planted. He knows the nature of the vine, so he lovingly cares for it, watching over it and rejoicing in the fruit it produces. The vinedresser – not the vine – determines the time for planting, the time for pruning and the time for harvesting.

THE VINE
A fruitful vine can do nothing without the vinedresser, and is completely dependent on him. It can only grow where the vinedresser decides, and can only produce as much as the vinedresser determines. The health of the vine is a reflection of the love and care of the vinedresser. In turn, the vine becomes the source of strength, stability and health for the branch. (Conversely, a weed has no gardener, so it grows wild and can cause harm to cultivated plants!)

THE BRANCH
The branch is simply a vessel used by the vine. It has the same nature as the vine. Through its sap the vine channels its energy to and through the branch. The branch, then, is a reflection of and a smaller version of the vine.

Just as the vine is dependent on the vinedresser, the branch in turn, is totally dependent on the vine. It is only when the branch is one with the vine that it can produce what the vinedresser desires – fruit that reflect the nature of the vine.

INTIMATE DEPENDENCY
Jesus, the True Vine, said of the Father, the Husbandman –  “The Son is able to do nothing of Himself (of His own accord); but He is able to do only what He sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does is what the Son does in the same way [in His turn].” – John 5:19.

Of you and me Jesus said, “Without Me you can do nothing.” 

The Father loving and directing the Son…  The Son loving you and providing all that you need… You loving the Son and therefore the Father…  The Father loving you in turn because of your love for His Son, and the fruit that you bear out of your union with Him.

What divine intimacy!!