Vine and Branches – John 15:1-11

The Houston Chronicle online describes the job of the vinedresser as involving daily pruning and cultivating of grapevines nearly year round “to help ensure the vineyard has a successful crop from which to create wine, juices and other items.”  It notes, “Pruning is an essential task as it removes dead, diseased or stunted fruits to make room for new growth, ultimately leading to a healthy and productive vine. The pruning process begins very shortly after planting, usually within a few weeks.”  This is the metaphor Jesus finds appropriate to describe the life and service of his disciples.

“I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener.  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every one bearing fruit he cleanses that it might bear more fruit.  You are already clean through the word I’ve spoken to you.  Remain steadfast in me, and I in you.  Even as a branch is not able to bear fruit by itself unless it remains steadfast in the vine, neither are you able unless you remain steadfast in me.  I am the vine, you are the branches.  The one who remains steadfast in me as I in him, this one bears much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not remain steadfast in me he is cast out like a branch and withers and they gather them and they are thrown into the fire and they burn.  If you remain steadfast in me and my words remain steadfast in you, whatever you desire you may ask for, and it will be done for you.  By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and so be my disciples.

And as the Father has loved me, so also I have loved you.  Remain steadfast in my love.  If you keep my commandments you remain steadfast in my love, even as I keep my Father’s commandments and remain steadfast in His love.  I have told you these things so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be full.  (John 15:1-11)

Jesus is encouraging his disciples that in his absence they will do greater works than he has done because of his limited time here on earth.  But doing those works requires two things.  

One, a person must remain in the vine, and Jesus is that true vine.  The Father tends the vine of Jesus’ disciples and those who are truly his disciples remain in him (the meaning of “abide”).  All our fruit comes not from our own ability but from Jesus’ ability. Apart from him we can do nothing that is real fruit.  Consequently, if there is no fruit in our lives it is evidence that we do not really know Jesus, and such vines are removed as being of no value.  Branches that do bear fruit still need pruning to bear even more fruit.  The Father, as a wise vinedresser, will tend us diligently.

Two, we must ask for what we need.  Bearing fruit is somehow tied to our own faith and asking the Father in Jesus’ name for what we wish.  This is further evidence that we are Jesus’ disciples.  Jesus reiterates that loving him is evidenced in keeping his commandments and it is the sure connection between him and us that results in joy, and indeed, fullness of joy.

Discussion Questions

1. How successful have you been as a gardener?
2. How have you experienced God gardening you?  Cleansing or pruning you?
3. What is the difference in connotation to you between “abiding” and “remaining”?
4. What does Jesus mean by a branch in him that does not remain in him is thrown away.
5. How do you explain that you bear fruit but cannot do anything apart from Christ?
6. How is your joy doing?