John 15:1-2
“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.
What does Jesus mean?
This is the claim, broken down:
The TRUE VINE:
The Vine is the source of life for the branches. Without the vine, the branches cannot be fruitful. For grapes to be produced, the vine needs to be present to provide nourishment to the branches. Similarly, if we remain close to Christ, He is our nourishment and eternal hope. He is the root of eternal life and those who put their faith in Him will be constantly sustained and supported.
Why did Jesus say He is the true vine?
Jesus is the truth and the giver of life. God’s work as the great gardener is initially demonstrated in the nation of Israel, described as His vineyard and His delightful plants (Is 5:7). Israel was watered and pampered by the hands of its generous gardener. It was given everything it needed to flourish in an abundant promised land. But as time went on, God’s garden did not flourish as it could have done. The nation of Israel repeatedly turned away from the one true God and turned it’s face towards other, impostor gardeners. To redeem His people, God our loving father planted a true vine, Jesus Christ. He cleared the ground for the new vine and it took deep root and filled the land. And the whole world, extending throughout history from the first disciples to every one of God’s people alive today, is covered under His shade of grace (Ps 80:9).
The GARDENER:
The Father, like a gardener, is very watchful of His vineyard. He cares immensely for it, working day and night to provide sustenance for the branches to bear fruit. With the amount of love and care the vine and gardener provides for the branches, Christians are expected to fruitful. The gardener is also the owner of the land. He cares about every branch and fruit because they are His.
The BRANCHES:
The branches are believers who are supposed to be connected to Christ. Those who are connected well produce good ‘fruits’. The word ‘fruit’ is a concept used to describe the conduct of someone’s heart – often manifested through thoughts, words and deeds.
Though a branch (a person) may seem connected outwardly, the true source of the fruit they produce is in the state of their heart and spirit – things that only God can see. A genuine believer attached to the true vine (Jesus), will bear good fruits. A false believer may seem attached outwardly but their connection to Jesus does not run deep; they do not have a genuine and pure relationship with Jesus. These ‘branches’ will not bear fruits, which is the evidence of their spiritual state.
In this verse, Jesus says that those who are surface Christians (fakes), will be removed. You cannot trick God. Ultimately, God only knows the true state of your heart. Merely calling yourself a Christian isn’t the same as truly knowing God.
Those who are fruitful and genuine will experience God’s amazing guidance and blessing.
