The True Vine

Scripture: John 15:1-8 (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

1 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 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. (John 15:1-4 NLT)

Jesus’ story “The True Vine and the Branches” is a metaphor. It’s a word picture describing something tangible, something we can see and touch, and then comparing a spiritual reality to the tangible object or relationship. The way to “squeeze all the juice” out of this metaphor is to know some key facts and realities about Vines and Branches and then compare a less-tangible spiritual truth to what we know. Jesus’ disciples knew about grapevines. Vineyards were common, and many homes had grapevines to provide grapes and wine for the household.

Fruitful grapevines symbolized Israel’s fruitfulness in doing God’s work in the earth, (Psalm 80:8; Isaiah 5:1-7; Ezekiel 19:10-14) and wine symbolized God’s goodness to his people. Grapevines needed to be pruned carefully and thoroughly every year to keep the vines healthy and productivity high. Pruning was done by a skillful and caring gardener who had both the health of the vine and the productivity of the branches in mind. Jesus mentions two kinds of pruning: 1) cutting off unproductive branches and 2) cutting back the productive branches.

His followers, the current branches, had been pruned by his message: they were shaped (directed) by his message, cut back (unproductive and wrong attitudes and behaviors eliminated) by his message, and infused with life and energy, faith and hope, by his message.

It’s not complicated! There’s not a lot for them (and us) to figure out about productivity and health. They (and we) stay connected to the vine in loving, submitted, obedient relationship. They (and we) draw life and nourishment from connection with the true vine, and grow and sprout and produce good fruit on the other end! Let’s remain in him so his life remains in us!

Prayer:

Father, Please speak fresh truth to my mind and heart as we look at the Vine and the Branches. Connect me solidly to the vine. Prune me and shape me so I’m healthy and productive. For the Kingdom’s sake! Amen.