Keith Jackson
Peace and Joy
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
Grapes aren’t fussy about where they are grown, but what they need is warmth, water and a lot of attention. To keep them free of bugs and disease they require supporting structures to keep the fruit off the ground. Lastly, to produce the best and sweetest fruit they need to be pruned. As the harvest grows near, withholding water will result in even sweeter and more abundant fruit, the leaves being allowed to wither and all the reserves of the vine going into preserving the fruit.
Grapevines, vineyards and wine are symbols often used by Jesus. The vine was a symbol of God’s church. Jesus was the vine and we are the branches. As we grow in our love for him, we produce fruit. To mature and develop we also need the heat and pruning of trials and tribulations. When trials occur in our lives, our focus should not be in the fruit we are producing. Our focus should be on abiding in Jesus.
Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2