Jesus is the vine, His followers are the branches

John 15:1-7 (NLT)

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 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. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 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. 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. 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. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” 

I was visiting my daughter and family in Newcastle, WA where they have a new house with tall evergreen trees in their backyard.  Many had lower dead limbs that looked ugly and were useless so I cut them off.  If a limb still had some live branches, I cut off the dead ones but pruned or left alone the live ones.  The trees looked better and healthier. 

In this passage the Father, the gardener (or vinedresser), cuts off every branch that does not produce fruit.  Note that these fruitless branches belong to Jesus (“of mine”).  Who are these people?  They are people who say that they believe in Jesus, but there is no fruit in their lives.  Therefore, they are not true Christians since even with the most immature Christian there is still some fruit being borne.  Their belief is superficial and such people are not truly saved.  Judas Iscariot was a clear example of such a person.  Other parts of Scripture where such superficial followers of Christ are found include John 2:23-25, 6:64-66, 8:45-47, and I John 2:19.

True believers, those who bear fruit in others’ lives, are the live branches.  Live branches are well connected to the vine.  The vinedresser keeps pruning the branch so that it bears much fruit.  That is what the Father is doing constantly with the lives of true Christians.  He keeps pruning to enable spiritual growth (Matthew 7:16-20, Ephesians 2:10, James 2:17,22).  Examples of spiritual pruning might include suffering that helps to remove worldly influences from your life that hinder your ability to serve Christ and His church (see Hebrews 12:7-11).

Note the great importance and benefits of being connected to the vine (Jesus).  His message will purify you.  You will bear fruit (positively impact and influence others’ lives).  He says that apart from Him you can do nothing (nothing that has lasting spiritual significance).  And, by being connected to Him and obeying His words, your prayers will be answered. 

   

Is Jesus the vine in your life?  Or, are there other vines in your life (e.g. money, possessions, position, career, relationships other than Him) that compete with Him?  What kind of branch are you?  You can tell yourself by asking this question:  Are you bearing fruit in others’ lives?  A branch cannot bear fruit if it is separated from the vine.  You cannot accomplish meaningful things in others’ lives by your own power and strength.  You cannot bear any fruit if you are not abiding in Him.  But, if you are abiding in Him, you will bear much fruit in the lives of others, the same kind of fruit that the Holy Spirit bestows---love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  There is no better kind of life than a life that adds and contributes these kinds of qualities in others’ lives.