In John 15 Jesus calls Himself the vine and His people the branches. The vine imagery can be found all throughout the Bible as a metaphor for the mission/role of Israel and then Jesus in the world. The vine is an image of life and flourishing. It carries with it the idea that God’s people and God’s Son are to be people of life and flourishing in and for the world. The Vine is a biblical image for biblical hospitality.

But, if we are honest we can all admit that we don’t generally live lives of blessing and flourishing for the world around us. Jesus tells us in John 15 that God is going to work in our lives; He is pruning us for the sake of growth. Pruning is never easy or comfortable because it means removing the idols we trust in most. But pruning is essential because it is the process of removing from our lives the things that rob and steal life.