Written by Rayne Paz, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
My mother was always growing plants, and when I moved into my new house, I decided to bring that practice to my home. I confess that at first I wasn't very used to all the proper care, and some died. However, interestingly enough, one of them, which seemed dead, after a few days of pruning and watering, began to grow again like a new plant, restored and transformed. It was interesting to observe that its dry branches began to sprout new shoots. A true renewal.
This is the example used by Isaiah in chapter 11, verse 1, and chapter 53, verse 2. That which seemed to be dead and broken burst forth to create something new, and we could not be speaking of anyone other than the Messiah. The Messiah, Christ, came to renew and bear fruit in wisdom, justice, and faithfulness for a people already considered "dead." This renewal extends beyond the original recipients and reaches us. "And again, Isaiah says, ’The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope'" (Ro 15:12 NIV).
In John 15, Jesus states that His disciples are also branches sprouting from a true vine: Himself. We are the fruit of Christ's work on the cross; we are the branches that sprout from His sacrifice. Now, if we are connected to a living tree, nothing is more inevitable than growth and the bearing of fruit. However, this growth and fruitfulness require some considerations:
- Pruning: “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.” (Jn 15:2) - Growth only occurs on a clean branch, and we are cleansed by pruning with the Word. We must read it, put it into practice in our lives— for it is like a sword that pierces us to transform us (Heb 4:12).
- Permanence and Dependence: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” (Jn 15:4). - No branch produces fruit on its own— it is necessary to depend on the Vine. Bearing fruit implies understanding that we cannot do it alone; we need to abandon the idea of independence and submit our lives to Christ.
- Attributing glory to the truly worthy: “This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (Jn 15:8). - It is common for humans to observe their results and attribute the achievement to themselves or their own efforts. This is not how it works in the Kingdom of God. God is glorified when we produce fruit, and we should attribute such an accomplishment to Him.
As a result of sprouting, we too must continue producing. God invites us, through the example of Christ, to submit to Him, to be established in Him, to depend on Him, and to produce for Him.
In what ways can you bear fruit today? In service in the congregation? Loving in your home? Evangelizing the lost? Praying for someone? I am sure there are many ways to manifest these fruits. And don't forget, God is glorified in our lives when we bear fruit. So: bear fruit!
