What Does it Mean That Jesus Is the True Vine? (John 15:1)

In the Bible and the Gospel of John chapter 15, Jesus introduces himself as the “true vine” and his disciples as its branches. This profound parable has an important meaning about the relationship between Jesus and believers.

Bible, Gospel of John 15:1-5

“I am a true vine and my father is a gardener. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You are now clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Stay in me and I in you. As the branch alone cannot bear fruit unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing.”
Seven times “I am” in the Gospel of John

In the Gospel of John, Jesus says “I am” seven times. The number seven is a symbol of spiritual perfection. These include:

I am the bread of life (John 6:35); I am the light of the world (John 8:12).
I am in (John 10:7-9); I am the good shepherd (John 10:11).
I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25); I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
I am the true vine (John 15:1, 5).

A preacher can prepare a sermon from any of these. A teacher can organize a Sunday school class or some kind of prayer meeting. But today let’s focus on just one of them, the true vine, and how connecting to the true vine produces a fruitful vineyard.

What is the meaning of “true vine” in the Bible?

Grape is a fruitful tree. A single tree can produce many grapes. In the Old Testament, the grape symbolized Israel’s fruitfulness in doing God’s work on earth (Psalms 80:8; Isaiah 5:1-7). During the Passover celebration, God’s goodness and justice were shown by the fruit of the vine.

In the first 16 verses of the book of John and the Bible, we can see the content, conditions and consequences of the fruitful vineyard.

In verses 1 to 5, we have the content of a fruitful vineyard:

How is the relationship between the true vine and the church?

Christ is that vine. God is the planter who focuses on the branches of the vine and tends them to make them fruitful. Branches are all those who claim to be followers and believers of Christ. Fruitful branches, branches that bear fruit, are true believers who produce much fruit through a living relationship with Christ.

However, ineffective people, those who do not follow Christ after a superficial confession, are cut off from the plant. Ineffective or unproductive believers are as useless as a dead branch on a tree and are cut off and thrown away.

Jesus distinguishes between two types of pruning: separating and cutting branches. Fruitful branches are shortened for progress and development. In general, God sometimes teaches us to strengthen our character and faith.

In any case, the branches that do not bear fruit are cut from the bottom, because they are useless and often pollute the rest of the tree. Those who do not bear fruit for God or try to slow down the efforts of God’s believers will be cut off from the heavenly course of life.

Fruit is not limited to Christianizing people. Answers to prayer, joy and love are mentioned as fruits (15:7, 11, 12). The various characteristics of the Christian character are depicted as fruit in Galatians 5:22-24 and 2 Peter 1:5-8.

God provides what we need. God cleans, He prunes and He elevates. What is produced is fruit, more fruit and lots of fruit.

In verses 6 to 14, we see the conditions of a fruitful branch.

How does the “true vine” relate to the Christian life?

A Christian must remain in Christ and obey Him.

A Christian believes that Jesus is the Son of God. “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him and he in God” (1 John 4:15).

A Christian accepts Christ as Savior and Lord. “But as many as received him, to them he gave power to become children of God, that is, to those who believed in his name” (John 1:12).

A Christian will do what God directs. And whoever keeps his commandments abides in him, and he in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us” (1 John 3:34).

A Christian will continue to believe. “So let what you have heard remain in you. If what you have heard from the beginning remains in you, you will also remain in the Son and in the Father” (1 John 2:24).

A Christian will communicate with other believers. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

There are many Christians who try to do the right thing, be honest, and make wise decisions. However, Jesus says the best way to live a truly worthy life is to be connected to Him, like a branch is connected to a plant, a vine. Apart from him, our efforts are fruitless.

What should we know about the “true vine” in the Bible?

Jesus could have called us slaves because he is our lord and master, but we are called friends. We are chosen and appointed. What a comfort it is to know that we have been chosen to be his friends. We must go and bear fruit and our fruit must remain.

And besides, with all seriousness, add virtue to your faith. And to virtue, knowledge; And to knowledge, self-control; and to restraint, tolerance; and to tolerance, religiosity; and to religion, brotherly love; And to brotherly love, love (2 Peter 1:5-8). (Holy book)

We are not called to just produce fruit, but to bear fruit, bear fruit. Christ will increase. The first choice was made by Christ, to love us, die for us, and give us eternal life.

Today in the article : What Does it Mean That Jesus Is the True Vine? (John 15:1)?  We reviewed useful information about the Bible and the way of Jesus. If you wish, you can view other articles of Ali Vahidi about Christianity