My husband was once having a spirited conversation with a colleague on the topic of “who is the Vine” spoken of in John 15 of the Bible. Our colleague argued that Israel is the Vine, and my husband pointed back to John 15:1 to answer, “Jesus is the True Vine!” So, I thought that would be a great place to start this blog post – with a central point of importance being that Jesus is the Vine. The crux of Jesus making this statement is to show us that by our nature we are empty and dry, set to wither away (verse 6) without our being grafted into Him.
John 15:4-5 states, “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, it is he that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Being 22 weeks pregnant, I can’t help but draw some symbolism to those verses. At this point in gestation, my little girl has a very small percentage chance to thrive and sustain life apart from our connection. How much more so are we unable to avoid spiritual death apart from our King, our Lord who says we can do NOTHING apart from Him? Our vital sustenance flows only from Himself.
Our Creator and Defender gives us the great gift of abiding in Him, through which we are able to bear fruit – a concept you see referenced many times in this passage. In Pastor Rick’s book, “Radical Growth, he also references Galatians 5:22-23 and beautifully outlines the characteristics within it that we can lavishly impact others with when we bear their good fruit. Through Christ and the gift of his love, when we bear His fruit we are loving, joyful, content, patient, kind, gracious, faithful, humble, self-controlled, and overall rooted in Christ. John 15:8 tells us that bearing fruit produces earthly and heavenly good! “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
What is the danger of not bearing fruit? John 15:6 warns, “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.” Just as our strength begins in Him, it is sustained in Him. Believers need constant reminders that they produce nothing good unless they are abiding in Jesus like a branch being nourished by a vine. Jesus speaks about pruning because our sinful nature abounds in plenty of harmful vices and is too fertile in producing them and their endless shoots, unless we are pruned by God’s hand. When He says a branch is trimmed or pruned so that “it will bear more fruit” (verse 2), He is telling us of the progress needed to insure we grow in godliness.
All glory and praise to God that He gives us these words to bring us joy! As John 15:11 reminds us, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” Jesus is our Vine!
Meet the Author!
Ashley Otteson and her husband Garrett are blessed beyond measure to have found community at CRBC. Garrett serves on the Deacon Board and they have lead a Home Group for 5+ years, affectionately named “SundaysCool”. They’ve also spent time serving on the Welcome Team and Tech Team.
Professionally, Ashley is a Sales Leader for a large Global Technology Company where she has been for 15 years. She enjoys watching sports, eating delicious food, deep conversation, and living no further than a 7-minute drive from her sisters and parents.