This session we get to read about the last of the “I am” parables that Jesus taught his followers.  This parable is documented after the last supper in the upper room where Jesus shared the future challenges as he was going to be betrayed, sacrificed and He was gong to leave them. There is not specific record of where this parable is taught, but it is suspected to be on the way to Jerusalem, at this time Judas has left the group and Jesus is just teaching the remaining eleven disciples.

Jesus will use the visual illustration of a vine. Just for clarity there are three vine references in the Bible. One in the old testament referring to Israel, one in the book of Revelation about the vine of the world, and then the true vine, Jesus.

Jesus, the True Vine

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.

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. ⁶ Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. ⁷ But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! ⁸ When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

⁹ “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. ¹⁰ When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! ¹² This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. ¹³ There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command. ¹⁵ I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. ¹⁷ This is my command: Love each other.  – John 15:1-17 NLT

What are some of the insights you immediately receive when hearing this parable?

There are a lot of bushes, plants and trees in this world, and they produce a variety of results.  Jesus warns us and encourages us to be mindful of our need for substance of life. All humans need substance.  Our life will be reflective of who and what we are connected with. Whether it is a job, an activity, a group, an association. What we are connected with influences who we are.

Being connected, associated with something does not automatically mean there is commitment or benefits. Hanging out at the gym does not make us healthy. Getting married does not automatically make us a blissful couple.  This parable of the vine and branches is showing that we live together and depend on the vine for our source of needs.

Is it just a simple task of staying connected with the vine of choice?

Many individuals want to declare that Jesus is their true vine, but their life is far from what we read.  The parable is loaded with a lot of commands and consequences.

The key word is abide; What does it mean to “abide”?

It means to keep in fellowship with Christ so that His life can work in and through us to produce fruit. This certainly involves the Word of God and the confession of sin so that nothing hinders our communion with Him (John 15:3). It also involves obeying Him because we love Him (John 15:9–10).

How can we tell when we are “abiding in Christ”? Is there a special feeling? No, but there are special evidences that appear and they are unmistakably clear. For one thing, when we are abiding in Christ we produce fruit (John 15:2).

Also, we experience the Father’s “pruning” so that we will bear more fruit (John 15:2). The believer who is abiding in Christ has his prayers answered (John 15:7) and experiences a deepening love for Christ and for other believers (John 15:9, 12–13). He also experiences joy (John 15:11).

This abiding relationship is natural to the branch and the vine, but it must be cultivated in the Christian life. It is not automatic. Abiding in Christ demands worship, meditation on God’s Word, prayer, sacrifice, and service—but what a joyful experience it is! Once we have begun to cultivate this deeper communion with Christ, we have no desire to return to the shallow life of the careless Christian.

What are some of your additional thoughts on abiding, the cost of following/abiding in Christ and the rewards and fruitfulness?

It comes down to us being aware of how we exist, abiding and belonging. We know that we are dependent and need provision. We need to keep on alert to where we are connected. The unsaved depend on this world for their sustenance and satisfaction, while believers depend on Jesus Christ.

We cannot abide and be in harmony with our true vine if we are just running around doing our own thing. It is the communion with the Holy Spirit that we get our sustenance and direction for life.  We are dependent on our vine, because we cannot do this life on our own. The sooner we as believers discover that we are but branches, the better we will relate to the Lord, for we will know our own weakness and confess our need for His strength.

Be conscious this week of where you are getting your nutrients, be accepting as the gardener works on you and possibly prunes you to be more fruitful. We must remember that our existence is not merely to exist and be connected to Christ, but be fruitful. If we are not growing in Christ, we just might be cutoff.