John 15:1-8

The title of this message is “Tree of Life” which seems a little off since I just read that Jesus was referring to himself as the “Vine” and we are the branches. Though vines and trees both have branches, both can produce fruit, both need to be pruned but they are not the same. You can't say that an apple tree is the same thing as a grapevine.

Pruned branches from fruit trees being burned.

Jesus was using the image of the vine but there is, of course, a very important image in our faith story about the Tree of Life. Its in a book of the Bible called Genesis.

It says in chapter two that “out of the ground the Lord God made every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for good; the tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. They were free to eat of any tree but the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. And just like any kid who is told what not to do, just like any kid who has a limit or a boundary set upon him, they went and ate the fruit from the forbidden tree. When the eyes of Adam and Eve were opened to the knowledge of good and evil the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, since he may also take of the tree of life and live for ever: The Lord God sent Adam and eve out of the garden.”

Did God send them out of the garden for their disobedience or for the life course because of and the consequences of their disobedience? Did God stop loving them when they were outside the garden? Did God continue to speak to them and their descendants? No God still wanted them to be obedient. Abraham was considered righteous by God because of his faith. Noah was worth saving from the flood. David was called a man after God's own heart all because they trusted God.

Alex and Julian heading to the "Skyline Trail" at Ludington State Park.

Yesterday I went to the State park with my two oldest sons. We followed the trails. We climbed the many stairs that lead to the “Skyline” trail and saw the wonderful views of the lake and of the dunes. But then something drew us further we walked down the paved path toward the dam and then we went beyond the trail and followed a worn path into the “wilderness.” we followed the path through the trees until the trees opened and we saw wide a open grassy area filled with hills. You all probably know the place I am describing since it is in your back yard but it was all new to us. We continued to follow the foot path up a large grassy hill (dune) and we saw a sign. We thought it might be a no trespassing sign or a “You are Not Where you Belong” kind of sign. But it was a sign that simply communicated that beyond that point, hunting was allowed. It didn't matter what the sign really said what it felt like was leaving the known and entering the unknown. It stirred in us that sense of adventure that is often suppressed. We continued to climb. We wanted to get to the highest elevation we could. And when we did we just sat and enjoyed the view. After a while we walked along that ridge line and down one side was the grassy hill that we climbed, but down the other was a very steep tree strewn hillside that went a very long way before it leveled out again. If a person were to slip and fall, I don't imagine that one would be able to stop before hitting the bottom or hitting a tree. So I instructed my 8 year old to stay to the other side of the path, away from the steep side. He did. Then he forgot, and I reminded him. I apologized, I said, “I know I may seem like the 'Fun Police' but I want to keep you safe. He said, “Oh, no dad. I get it! (pointing down the steep side) That's dangerous.”

He understood that I wasn't instructing him for the sake of having my way. I gave him commands for his own good and protection. This is how it is with God. God did not say, “Because you have disobeyed me you have to leave the garden.” He made Adam and Eve leave the garden because they were going to get to big for their britches. But he still loved them.

In fact he loved them and us so much that he became a human to be with us, to teach us, and to show us the way to a fruitful and eternal life.

The abundant and fruitful life doesn't just land in our laps. It doesn't happen passively. It doesn't happen by agreeing to a set of beliefs. It happens by listening for the voice of God. By understanding the Word of God, and by obeying the commands of God. Because we have complex lives and not every moment and every motivation may not be directed to glorifying God there may be places in our lives that require energy and attention but are doing us no good. To have an abundant life may require some pruning.

In the Gospel today we read about those branches that produce no fruit are cut and thrown into the fire. Now be careful where you go with this one. This is, as all scripture is, valuable for teaching and building up your faith. However it is not meant for you to use as a tool of judgment against someone else. You don't know the fruit that is being produced in another. So it is not your job to do the pruning. It is not our Job to say who is in and who is out. Our job is to invite, and to tell the story and to live obediently.

The pruning that will happen will come from God. Even branches that bear fruit need to be pruned. Brothers and sisters I know you are bearing fruit. I know that you love God. I know that Jesus is your savior. Thanks be to God. I also know that you are being pruned. You are facing challenges, you've experienced loss where you thought you would have abundance. There is a humbling of the spirit when there is a pruning.

You ever want to say, “God I think I've been pruned enough”?

Sometimes we can, if we have the wisdom to see, we can prune ourselves. That is we can look inside, we can look at what we do, we can look at where we spend our energy and see the places that produce no fruit. That is place that do not glorify God. We can also look at the areas in our life where we are doing things that are pleasing to God and we can do some pruning so that we are even more effective.

Jesus said abide in me as I abide in my Father. We can do nothing apart from Jesus.

Abiding in Jesus is like walking along the tricky ridge-line of life with dangers on either side and listening for the guiding voice of one who loves you. But it's not just avoiding the danger it is pausing to see view from the top of the hill and thanking God for it.

Jesus said he is the vine and we are the branches. A vine is not a tree. From the tree of life in the garden we take what is produced. But Jesus is not the tree he does not produce so that we can take. We are attached to Jesus so that he can produce fruit in us. The new tree of life is a vine that connects us all. The new covenant that God made with us, His people was made when Jesus sacrificed himself, died on the cross and lifted himself back to eternal life. When we stay connected to Jesus we have that eternal life.

This Juice was made from the grapes of many vines. This bread was made from the grain that grew from seeds that were planted in the ground, died and were transformed into new life. If you intend to be connected, stay connected and produce fruit then I invited you to join us at this Holy meal. You need not be a member of this church or of any church.

So how is it with you today?

Would you pray with me?