Through the Bible in One Year

Day 163

John 15:1-8

Today we come to John chapter 15, which begins with Jesus’ last “I am” statement.  And as we said yesterday, this part of Jesus’ last words may have occurred while they were on the road to Gethsemane.  What we will see in these powerful verses in this constant imagery of vines, gardeners, branches and fruit.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.—15:1-4

The analogy of the vine teaches that a vital relationship exists between Christ and the believer.  Jesus claimed to be “the true vine.”  This is the last of Jesus’ seven “I am” statements that are found in John’s Gospel.  Vine imagery is used in the Old Testament as a symbol for Israel.  Jesus, as the true vine, fulfilled God’s intentions for the nation.  God the Father is the Gardener.  He removes dead, fruitless branches and prunes fruitful ones so they can bear more fruit.  Believers should not fear that they will be “cut off” since they are clean already.  Mutual indwelling is the key to fruitfulness in the believer’s life.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.—15:5-8

Jesus repeated the thought that he is the vine and believers are the branches.  A living intimacy with Christ is absolutely essential if a believer’s life is to bear fruit.  Apart from this vital relationship of mutual indwelling, believers can do nothing of eternal significance.  Those who refuse to remain in Christ, those who do not have saving faith, will be judged with fire like the fruitless branches.  Fire is a common symbol for divine judgement.  In view of this warning, believers must understand that Christ’s active and indwelling word in a believer is a mark of genuine discipleship.  This intimacy of mutual indwelling demonstrates itself in answered prayer.

Now let’s take a closer look at what Jesus is saying here.  And we are going to start by looking at verses 1 and 2, which say, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

The vine is frequently used in the Old Testament as a symbol of Israel, but it was often shown as inadequate or lacking in some way.  But in this word picture, Jesus describes himself as “the true vine” and those who have become his followers as “the branches.”  By remaining attached to him as the source of life, they produce fruit.  To produce spiritual fruit means to develop Godly character, set a Godly example, do effective service and lead others to Christ.  God is the gardener who takes care of the branches in order that they may be fruitful.  And God expects all of us to grow and produce spiritual fruit.

Jesus here speaks of two categories of branches: fruitless and fruitful.

1. Fruitless—The branches that never produce or that quit producing fruit are those who no longer have the spiritual life in them that comes from enduring faith in and love for Christ.  These “branches” the Father finally cuts off.  This means that they are separated from a life-giving relationship with Christ.  Branches that are out of contact with, or disconnected from, the vine are lifeless and useless so far as producing fruit.  As a result, God judges and rejects them.
2. Fruitful—The branches that produce fruit are those who have life in them because of their enduring faith in and love for Christ.  These “branches” the Father prunes, or trims, so that they will grow better and become more fruitful.  This means that God removes from their lives anything that takes away from their devotion to Christ or hinders their life-giving connection to him.  This can often be an uncomfortable or painful process of discipline and challenge.  But the end result is the sweet fruit of Christian character that brings honor and glory to Jesus through Godly life and witness.

Now let’s skip ahead to verse 4, which says, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”  After a person accepts Christ and is forgiven, he or she receives the gift of eternal life, which centers on a personal relationship with Christ and includes the power of the Holy Spirit to sustain and develop that relationship.  Given that power, a Christian must then accept responsibility for staying spiritually connected to and dependent on Christ.  The Greek word “meno” means to remain, continue or live.  Just as the branch has life only as long as the vine’s life flows into it, so believers have true life only as long as Christ’s life flows into them through an active and vital relationship with him.  The conditions which keep us connected to Christ include:

1. Spending time reading and studying God’s Word so that his truth gets into our minds and hearts and continually serves as a guide for our actions.
2. Maintaining a positive habit of prayer, which involves listening to Jesus and drawing strength from him.
3. Obeying his commands, which demonstrates true love for Christ and includes loving each other.
4. Keeping our lives spiritually clean by remaining in God’s Word, resisting temptation and following the Holy Spirit’s direction.

Now let’s skip ahead to verses 6 and 7, which say, “If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

This symbolic word picture of the vine and branches makes it very clear that a person can be cut off from the “true vine” if he or she does not personally choose to stay connected to the “true vine.”  This passage teaches one of the most basic principles about the saving relationship between Christ and those who believe in him.  One’s relationship with Jesus is never static (passive or unchanging); it is either growing or dying—strengthening or declining.  A follower of Christ cannot rely on a past decision or experience to keep him or her connected to Christ.  A truly committed relationship with Jesus must continually be progressing and developing as God’s Spirit lives in the believer and shares Christ’s life with him or her.

This illustration teaches three important truths:

1. Though no outside circumstances or forces can remove true believers from God’s hand, it is still their responsibility to stay devoted to Christ and not remove themselves from his purpose and care.  They must continually choose to remain in a vital and well-connected relationship with him—a relationship that began when they received Christ’s forgiveness and new life.
2. Remaining in Christ results in Jesus continually living in and through his followers, spiritual fruitfulness, effective prayer and a fulfilling sense of joy.
3. The consequences of failing to remain in Christ are fruitlessness, removal from Christ and personal destruction.

Receiving answers to our prayers is in direct relation to remaining personally connected to Christ and his Word.  It is impossible to have a spiritually productive prayer life apart from knowing, believing and living by Christ’s teachings.  As we grow in our relationship with him through studying and applying his Word, the more our prayers will be in line with Christ’s desires and purposes and the more effective our prayers will be.  And we will pick up from here tomorrow.

Tomorrow’s Bible Readings:

1 Kings 12:20-13:34, Acts 9:26-43, Psalm 132:1-18 and Proverbs 17:6