'I Am the True Vine'

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.  If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.  As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.  These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full (John 15:1-11).”

These words of Jesus form a spiritual analogy drawn from a common agricultural observation, and that is that the branch, or productive shoot, of the grape vine will produce grapes only if it is attached to the main vine of the plant.  It's the vine that nourishes, supports, and produces the grape clusters.  If the branch is separated from the vine, no fruit will be produced.  Jesus uses this understanding to establish and stress the importance of his relationship with his disciples.  It's only as the disciples are in union with him through obedience to his word that they'll be fruitful followers of his.  So the nature of a disciple's relationship to his teacher is one of complete dependence.  

This idea is underscored several times in the passage above:  “....the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me (v.4).....”...for apart from me you can do nothing (v.5b).”  The underlying point that's being made here is that Christian life is relationally based; it flows out of our union with Christ.  He's the strong one, and we're the weak and dependent ones in the relationship.  This is the essential nature of Christian life and it's important that we not forget it!  There is no place for human pride and self-reliance in a life of Christian faithfulness.  And yet, this is where we constantly struggle, because our natural inclination is to be prideful, self-reliant, and self-promoting. 

General Observations 

There are several general observations that I want to make.  The first is that Jesus is the true source of spiritual life because he's the 'true vine' - “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser (v.1).”  This is a very provocative statement because national Israel is referred to as God's vine or vineyard.  For example, in Psalm 80 the psalmist writes - “You brought a vine out of Egypt (v.8);...”, and in Isaiah 5 the prophet says - “...the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel,...(v.7).”  What's shocking is that Jesus is saying that he's the true Israel, the one who brings salvation and spiritual life to the nations!  National Israel was only a foreshadowing of him.  God the Father is the vinedresser; the point is that the Father's always active where the Son is present.  Jesus also says that the vine branches are expected to be fruitbearing, so much so that if the Father finds no fruit the branch is taken away, but the branch that's fruitful is pruned so it will bear more fruit (v.2).  The idea is that if one is truly in union with Christ he will produce Christian virtues and display a fundamental change of character.  Also, the Father, as the vinedresser, uses Christ's word (the logos) as the means of pruning - “...every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you (vv.2b,3).”  The Word of God - the preaching of Christ - is what the Holy Spirit uses to cleanse, to refine, and cut away the dishonoring attitudes and behaviors of our lives, so that we become more Christ-honoring in the way we live.  All of those who have been made clean he continues to cleanse by his word....he sanctifies them.  And what forms the essential condition for this sanctifying work is the dynamic of mutual indwelling.  There is recurring language in this passage that communicates this idea - “Abide in me, and I in you.”....”Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit,...(vv.4,5).”  'I in you' and 'you in me'; this is the nature of union with Christ.  We're 'in him', clothed in his righteousness and empowered by his Spirit, and he's 'in us', transforming us from the inside out.  We're commanded to 'abide' or 'remain' in him, in the sense of remaining completely dependent on him for Christian growth.  We'll never develop a true Christian disposition and Christ-honoring character through sheer self-determination and self-generated moral disciplines.  We can develop Christian appearances, but it will be at the expense of being truly Christian with a renewed mind and heart, and transformed moral appetites and spiritual longings. 

The Writings of Paul 

We also see this idea of 'mutual indwelling' in the writings of Paul.  For example, to the Galatians he writes - “...It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me...(Gal. 2:20)”.  To the Philippians he says - “I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)...”.  It's important to note that the 'I' in the dynamic of 'mutual indwelling' isn't eliminated.  We don't become passive participants - ”I can do...” Paul says.  There's the exercising of will here.  This is an expression of confidence and determination.  But it's not self-will or self-confidence; it's a determination that looks solely to Christ for its empowerment and success.  We're to actively engage our Christian lives and pursue holiness; but our Christian strivings are to be focused on Christ and shaped by an unrelenting dependence on him.  It's as we abide in Christ and look to him for strength and instruction that we quite naturally produce the fruit of righteousness and conform more to his image. 

Identifiable Characteristics 

Those who are truly in union with Christ display identifiable characteristics.  First, they persevere, they remain in Christ, they don't 'wither'; rather, they bear fruit and thrive spiritually and will never be thrown away.  The assurance is that those whom God predestines, the Holy Spirit calls, and those called are justified and will be glorified (Rom. 8:30).  God protects and preserves his own!  Also, the prayers of those who abide in Christ are effective.  This is because their desires are so shaped by God's Word that they pray according the will of God - “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you (v.7).”  This is important; the effectiveness of our prayer life is conditioned by our relationship with Christ and the depth of our understanding of God's Word.  These conditions keep our prayers within the light and contours of divine revelation.  

Also, we need to understand that God is glorified through the character of our lives - “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples (v.8).”  Renewed minds, transformed character, and reordered lives honor the Lord and prove that we're in union with him.  Another trait of those in union with Christ is that their love for Christ is expressed through obedience to him - “....Abide in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love,....(vv.9,10).”  Our love and devotion to Christ isn't ultimately emotionally driven; rather, it's a matter of moral conviction.  Just prior to this piece of instruction Jesus said - “If you love me, you will keep my commandments (Jn.14:15).”  Obedience is the confirming evidence of our love for Christ!  We won't obey perfectly, but obedience is the great desire of our hearts.  

Finally, those who are in union with Christ will be filled with his joy - “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full....(v.11).”  Notice that it's his joy; a joy that's grounded in redemptive peace.  It's not a fleeting happiness that's rooted in self-pleasuring and worldly amusements.  Rather, it's a sense of wholeness and well-being that's leaning toward fullness.  So, when Christ returns and our redemption is complete, then our joy will be filled to the brim!  

This profile describes those who are in vital union with Christ!  They're abiding in the true vine, so they're producing good fruit.