For Thursday, April 23, 2026:
John 15:4 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
When Jesus walked on earth, almost everyone was a part of the agricultural industry, albeit on a small scale. If your family had apple trees, you could take some to market and barter for olives or figs. Or grapes and a little meat. Even children would know how to grow things, how to raise a crop. So Jesus uses an example that everyone would understand.
He calls himself the grapevine, and Father God would be the gardener, the one with a lot of wisdom about such things. If a branch no longer produces fruit, it’s worthless, so the gardener cuts it off, and into the fire it goes. Branches producing a bountiful harvest are pruned judiciously, so they can produce even more.
Jesus tells them, “You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.” Ah, I get it! Believers are the fruit of Jesus’ ministry!
But this isn’t the time to coast. Don’t even consider quitting. There’s still plenty of work to do. Stay connected with Jesus and with fellow believers. A branch cannot produce more fruit for the Kingdom if it’s separated from the vine.
Today, there are about 2.6 billion Christians on our Earth. Every one of them is the result of Jesus being the vine that can support many branches. Just before Jesus left us to return to the Father, he commanded, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Our work will be done when everyone has had a chance to learn the Good News!
Jesus says the harvest will be plentiful so we could use a few more workers!
Pastor Norton Lawellin
The Father’s House
Jesus In the City Fellowship
Truth & Freedom Church