Parable of a Vine

Over the last few days, I’ve been reading through John. Next to Acts, John is one of my favorite books in the Bible. It’s simplicity and power are incredible. Specifically, I once again came across one of my favorite parables, the “Parable of a Vine.” It’s located in John 15:1-8. I love how rich it is in content! I want to share what Jesus has shown me.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. (NKJV)

15:1 // Jesus starts this parable off with another “I AM.” Anytime Jesus said this, He was essentially declaring that He is the eternal God in flesh. We see this eight times in John. Everything flows through the vine of a tree. The vine strengthens, provides, and supports the branches. By knowing this, we must understand that everything flows through Jesus Christ. He is the beginning of all things. Everything we do must flow through Him alone. The union of the human and the Father resembles the root of the vine made fruitful.

15:2 // When a branch does not bear fruit, what does a gardener do? He cuts it and throws it away. This is a perfect picture of what the Father does as well. It’s essential to know that Christ is speaking to/of professing believers. This is not for the unbelievers. How can believers be branches if they do not believe in Christ? Christ says that any believer who does not bear fruit will be taken away. Not everyone that claims to be a Christian truly is. You must bear good fruit. (Col 1:10 & John 15:16) You will know someone is a disciple of Christ by their fruits!On the other hand, Jesus says that “every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” Once again, Jesus paints a vivid picture! Just as a good gardener prunes/cleans his good fruit, the Father does the same! When fruit reaches it’s peak form, the gardener will cut it so better fruit will grow in its place. Thank you Jesus! When we abide in Christ, He takes our fruit and prunes it so that we may bear more fruit.

15:3 // We are cleansed, pruned, and purged by the Word. God’s Word purifies us. Growing in knowledge and being doers of scripture help us produce good fruit. Just as a gardener waters his fruit in hopes of it growing, Christ uses His Word to purify us and cleanse us from all filth. The less filth (sin) we carry around, the greater chance we have to bear good fruit. Having knowledge of the Word is vital in the life of a believer.

15:4 // Of this parable, verse four is my favorite. Without Jesus, we can do nothing. We so often rely on our own power and strength (what little of it we have!) to accomplish things. Throughout Jesus’ time on Earth, He continually told His disciples and those following Him to spend time with the Father. Jesus made this a priority as He continuously woke up early to spend time with the Father. (Mark 1:35) Christ calls us to abide in Him. In fact, He says that if we don’t abide in Him, we can’t bear good fruit! We must know this. Abiding means to “remain; continue; stay, or dwell.” Jesus wants us to continually abide in His presence. Think about it. What can a branch do if it isn’t connected to the vine? Nothing. It will wither away due to lack of support. What can we do if we aren’t connected and abiding with Christ? Nothing. Everything we do must come from a place of intimacy. The more fruit we bring forth, the more we abound in what is good, the more our Lord is glorified.

15:5 // Just as scripture has said it before, Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. We are connected with Christ through abiding in Him. What He says is simple. If you abide in Him, you will bear good fruit. If you don’t abide in Him, you won’t. I can’t stress how important it is to spend time abiding with the Father. Every act or decision in this life must come through time spent in the presence of our Lord.

15:6 // It is immeasurably beneficial to abide in Christ. We cannot follow Jesus unless we do. On the other hand, abiding in darkness (opposite to abiding in Christ) has grave consequences. Branches that aren’t one with the vine ultimately die and fall to the ground. Believers may abide in Christ for a time but ultimately have the choice to neglect it. I love how Albert Barnes described it in his commentary. “The zeal languishes, the professed love is gone, prayer is neglected, the sanctuary is forsaken, and the soul becomes like a withered branch reserved for the fire of the last great day.” Those who forsake the privilege of abiding with the Father and go after the world have reserved a spot in hell when Judgment Day comes unless they return to Christ.

15:7 // If we abide in Christ (stay, remain, or dwell continuously in His presence) and His words (doctrine and commandments) abide in us, all of our prayers will be answered. When we tap into the power of prayer, all things are possible! When our desires match up with His will, He will give us our heart’s desires. Oh child, this is a beautiful truth! If you’re abiding in Christ, He is by your side at every moment.

15:8 // When we are fruitful, the Father is glorified. Bearing good fruit testifies to the glorious nature of Christ. If we are bearing the fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control / Gal 5:22-23), Christ is lifted up! We are His disciples by our love for one another (John 13:35) and the fruit we bear. We are not disciples by profession. We are disciples by living a life of holiness. Holiness helps produce genuine love and good fruit.

Let us seek to live more simply in the fullness of Christ so that we may grow more fruitful in every good word and work. Abiding in Christ is where true LIFE is found. May we always be one in union with the true vine, Jesus Christ. The King of kings and the Lord of lords!