Christ Jesus' words "I am the vine, ye are the branches" and "my Father is the husbandman"John 15:1, 5. have ever-recurring seasons of renewal for growth and health. He assured us that if the branch abides in the vine (if we abide in him), we will bear the fruits that glorify God—even though pruning is needed for more fruit.
The vine, the branch, the fruit, do not exist or grow of themselves. They have a source that wisely creates them, powerfully governs their growth, and lovingly, continuously cares for them. Jesus called the source "Father"—the creative, governing, tender Principle of harmonious, ever-unfolding life.
The Father, as husbandman, provides the conditions for full production: good seed in fertile soil, proper feeding and watering, plenty of sunlight, and careful cultivation through germination, growth, fruitage. The seed, the plant, the fruit, inherently have all the ingredients for fulfillment as they respond to the thorough care of the husbandman.
