John 15:5 Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
The Great Vine, of Hampton Court known as Black Hamburg, is now 250 years old and is the largest grape vine in the world. It was planted in 1768 while Lancelot 'Capability' Brown was in charge of the the palace gardens. Lancelot 'Capability' Brown directed the planting of the Great Vine from a cutting taken at Valentines Mansion in Essex.
In 1887 it was already 1.2 metres around the base and It is now over four metres around the base and the longest branch measuring 36.5 metres. The average crop of black dessert grapes is about 272 kilograms, however in the autumn of 2001 it was 383 kilograms, the best crop ever. The grapes are ripe after August Bank Holiday and are sold during the first three weeks of September in the palace shop. Although some of the branches are 120 feet from the main root, they still produce fruit.
What a lovely image Jesus shares. Jesus as the vine, me we as the branches filled with life-giving sap, stretching along the trelliswork, linking with other branches, drawing nourishment from the sun into my leaves, till we are heavy with sweet purple grapes. When we see the fruit, we may be tempted to imagine we did this by ourselves. If in our encounters with others we bring just ourselves and our own ego, the harvest will be a paltry affair. When we bring Jesus, we bring life.
The fruits of our Christian life are the work of God. Each of us can see the life and work of God in others - in ministry, in love, in commitment, courage, endurance, and ordinary daily kindness and compassion. Each of us, too, is gifted in some unique way. We can bear fruit for God in a way nobody else can. The tone of the gospel is different in everyone who spreads it. Prayer helps us recognise the fruits, develop them and offer them in the service of God and God's people.
Lord, we would grow with you
New shoots reaching out
Hands stretched upward
Like leaves newly formed
Soaking up your light and warmth
Lord, we would grow with you
Lord, we would grow with you
In sunshine and rain
In darkness and light
In cold days and summer days
From Springtime to Winter
Lord, we would grow with you
Lord, we would grow with you
And bring forth fruit
That is pleasing to you
Fed by your living water
Giving sustenance to others
Lord, we would grow with you. Amen
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