Two Branches
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.
John 15:1-2 NASB
Both branches that are “in [Christ]” get cut but for very different purposes and with very different results. I went to the dictionary and found this definition:
Prune: To lop or cut off the superfluous branches of trees, to make them bear better fruit or grow higher, or to give them a more handsome and regular appearance.
http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/prune
Then, I just had to look up “superfluous.”
Superfluous: 1. More than is wanted; rendered unnecessary by superabundance; 2. More than sufficient; unnecessary;
http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/superfluous
This reminds me of times where I felt like I was being a good disciple but suffered what I felt was an unnecessary loss. I have also felt that despite my best efforts, the prosperity I desired kept slipping from my grasp.
When you prune something, you are cutting it back, taking away what is unnecessary or more than is needed so that it can bear more fruit. Getting cut back doesn’t feel pleasant at the moment; it can feel more like punishment.
Maybe I should learn more about the fruit that God is trying to produce in my life versus the fruit I am wanting to produce.
The Hebrew word for covenant means “to cut” so when God is “pruning” or cutting us back, is there a connection to covenants and in what respect?
Reminiscent of an experience of Hugh B. Brown, retold by Elder Christofferson, summed up here:
“Look, little currant bush, I am the gardener here, and I know what I want you to be. I didn’t intend you to be a fruit tree or a shade tree. I want you to be a currant bush, and someday, little currant bush, when you are laden with fruit, you are going to say, ‘Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for loving me enough to cut me down’” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2011/04/as-many-as-i-love-i-rebuke-and-chasten).
I thought about including that one as well, but I didn’t want to belabor the point (something I haven’t done in other posts!). I’m glad that you included it in the comments though, that’s the reason I allow comments on the blog because they are great for additional references and alternative perspectives.