Why It Matters //

Just like any plant, what we are rooted in and attached to will determine the “fruit” we will bear. As followers of Christ, we are called to be rooted in Christ alone; it is only by planting ourselves in his Word and truth and Spirit that we can obey him and produce spiritual “fruit” in our lives. We are also called, then, to surrender and detach ourselves from other “vines”—things or people that may prevent us from growing or from being fruitful and faithful. Knowing Jesus as the “true vine” means acknowledging him as the ONLY true source of life and spiritual food, the reason why we can be loved and love others well—why we can grow in being more like Jesus every day.

What It's Talking About // 

The Gospel of John, like Matthew, Mark and Luke, tells the story of Jesus, highlighting more of the personal encounters and conversations people had with Him. More importantly, John records Jesus’ seven “I am” statements, describing who this Messiah, the Son of God, really is. In this sixth statement, Jesus calls himself the “true vine,” that it is only in remaining him and being firmly attached to him that we can bear true spiritual fruit—fruit that will last. 

John 15:1-17 NIV

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 

2 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. 

3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 

4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 

6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 

7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 

8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 

10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 

11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 

12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 

13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 

14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 

15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 

17 This is my command: Love each other.