The Vine and the Branches

Many of us have heard the parable of the vine and the branches multiple times (John 15:1-8). We could easily retell the story, but has our familiarity with it caused us to overlook some important points?

The Father owns the vine. Jesus describes him as the vinedresser. Unfruitful branches are cut off by him. Fruitful branches are cleansed by God of anything that would hinder future fruit bearing. Jesus explained that the cleansing of his disciples was done by the word.

Jesus is the only “true vine” because God “planted” him. No wonder Jesus so often said he came to do the Father’s will (John 4:34; 6:38; 7:16; 9:4; 12:49-50; 15:15; 17:4, 8). Like the vine, our Lord in heaven only bears fruit through the branches.

Disciples are the branches. They can only produce fruit through the vine. Six times in this short parable the Savior uses the words, “in me.” Those abiding outside of Christ bring about their own destruction. This is true because we must stay in Christ to bear fruit. The little word “if” lets us know we can leave him. Remaining in him requires obedience. The Christian’s purpose is to bear fruit to the glory of God.

The way into Christ, the vine, is through baptism (Galatians 3:26-27; Romans 6:3-4). Obedience, also described by John as walking in the light, is the means of remaining in him (1 John 1:7; 5:1-3). May each of us daily strive to abide in Jesus.

Gary C. Hampton