*John 15:1-16
Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and the branches to illustrate the importance of abiding in him for fruitfulness and love.
- The True Vine:
- Jesus describes himself as the “true vine,” and his Father as the “gardener.”
- The Father removes every branch in Jesus that does not bear fruit and prunes every fruitful branch to make it more productive.
- Remaining in Jesus:
- Jesus emphasizes that his disciples are already clean because of the words he has spoken to them.
- He urges them to remain in him, as a branch cannot bear fruit if it is separated from the vine.
- Jesus explains that he is the vine, and his disciples are the branches. They will bear much fruit if they remain in him, but apart from him, they can do nothing.
- Consequences of Not Remaining:
- Jesus warns that branches not remaining in him will be discarded, withered, and thrown into the fire.
- Prayers and God’s Glory:
- He promises that if they remain in him and his words remain in them, they can ask whatever they wish, and it will be done for them.
- By bearing much fruit, they will show themselves to be Jesus’ disciples and glorify the Father.
- Love and Obedience:
- Jesus commands his disciples to remain in his love by keeping his commandments, just as he remains in the Father’s love by keeping his commandments.
- He shares these teachings so that their joy may be complete.
- Jesus gives a new commandment: “Love each other as I have loved you.”
- He describes the greatest love as laying down one’s life for one’s friends.
- Chosen Friends:
- Jesus calls his disciples friends, not servants, as he has shared everything he learned from the Father.
- He emphasizes that they did not choose him but that he chose them, appointing them to bear lasting fruit.
- He repeats that whatever they ask in his name, the Father will give them.
John 15:1-16 teaches us that staying close to Jesus is the key to living a meaningful life. He compares Himself to a vine and us to branches, showing that we can only grow and produce good things—like love, kindness, and patience—when we stay connected to Him. We can apply this by praying, reading the Bible, and following His teachings every day. When we rely on Jesus, He gives us the strength and guidance we need. Instead of trying to do everything on our own, we should trust Him and let His love shape the way we live and treat others.
John 15:1-16 (WEB)
15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. 2 Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If a man doesn’t remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.8 “In this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples. 9 Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full.12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you. 16 You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.