Pruning Through the Word

Pruning Through the Word
By Dudley Hall www.sclm.org

Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. (John 15:3)

The metaphor that Jesus uses to describe his relationship to the disciples is the vine and the branches. He declares himself to be the Vine: the Chosen One to display the true nature of the Father in the world. He has identified the disciples as the branches on the Vine. The Father is the one who prunes (cleanses) the branches so that the plant will be productive.

The disciples had already identified with him, but there was going to be more. They had been called to follow him, but there were many teachers going around gathering followers at the time. They liked his teaching better than others, but they didn't know that following him would mean radical transformation. They had experienced some change because he have given them the "word" that was distinct. It had already separated them from the deceived Jewish leaders who hated Jesus for exposing their hypocrisy. As the truth was further revealed in his death, burial, resurrection, and the beginning of a new creation, they would have more "twigs" of ignorance cut off.

This text has often brought fear to Christians. They fear the pruning knife. Will it mean that they lose friends, money, houses, or fame? They tend to see the knife as an event or circumstance that repositions or redirects us. Circumstances do set the stage for change, but real change only happens when the "word" is heard and embraced. "You are clean because of the word..." Jesus said. Many have experienced life-altering circumstances that didn't make them more fruitful for the kingdom of God. They adjusted and survived, but they were not pruned.

Knowing that it is the word of Christ that finally prunes and cleanses us, we can make an intentional effort to treasure it, hear it, and obey it. It is not just Bible study that we are discussing. It is the communication from the Father as interpreted by the Son and made real to us by the Holy Spirit. It is that word that continues to strip away our orphan mentality and to expose our selfish fears by imparting the love of God to us and then through us to one another. Of course we must not neglect Bible study, but if we stop there, we will miss the joy of fruitfulness in the Vine. Bible study alone produces head knowledge. The word of Christ produces trust and love.