CHRIST IS THE VINE AND WE ARE THE BRANCHES

Proclamation:

“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.”  John 15:5 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were spoken by Jesus, The Christ, and recorded by the Apostle John under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the words which Jesus used to describe His relationship to His disciples and to His heavenly Father.  He describes Himself as the vine, His Father as the gardener, and His disciples as the branches of the vine which occasionally need to be pruned. (John 15:1-2)  Jesus also talks to them about effectual prayer, getting whatever they ask for if they remain in Him. (John 15:7)  He wants them to be productive and bear fruit for the glory of God, The Father. (John 15:8)  Later on, Jesus tells them that the world will hate them because it hates Him (John 15:18-19) and then He goes on to explain why this is the case. 

Application:

There is some debate among the Bible scholars as to the meaning of the word “fruit” as it is used here.  Some think that it refers to soul-winning.  Others think that it refers to the fruit of The Holy Spirit which is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)  Bearing fruit is the result of our salvation.  If we stay connected to Christ, then we will bear fruit, and the fruit that we bear will glorify God and show that we are disciples of Christ. (John 15:8)  If you are not connected to Him, get connected.  If you are connected, stay connected, for without Him we can do nothing.

I AM The Vine

"I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing."  John 15:5 (NIV)

This is the seventh and final of the great "I AM" statements recorded by the Apostle John, which Jesus, The Christ, spoke to His disciples.  Here Jesus said "I AM The Vine."  He said that only those who believe in Him, are connected to Him, and they will be productive and bear good fruit.

We know that only branches which are connected to the main vine will continue to thrive and bear fruit.  Those branches which are cut off from the main vine will perish.  Jesus is The main vine, without our connection to Him, we are powerless, and unable to do or produce anything.  Belief in Jesus and abiding in Him is proof of our salvation.  To abide in Him means to have a continuing and ongoing daily personal relationship with Him that involves faith, trust, prayer, obedience, and joy. (John 15:10-11)  If we abide in Him, then we will be productive and do a good work. (Ephesians 2:10 & Hebrews 13:16)  We will bear much fruit and glorify God if, and only if, The Word of God is within us. (John 15:8)  As believers, we need to read and study The Word of God. (2 Timothy 2:15)  The more that we do this, the more good fruit we will bear.

Who Are You Connected To?

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener. 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. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I will 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. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to My Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples." John 15:1-8 (NIV)

Just before the passover feast, Jesus was with His disciples, telling them of things to come. After He had washed their feet, predicted His betrayal, and predicted Peter's denial, He sought to comfort them. He encouraged them to remain in Him, to be true to His word, and He would remain in them.

The analogy of a fruit bearing branch is so clear. If a branch is not connected to the main vine and its roots, it cannot receive the sustenance it needs to remain alive and bear fruit. Likewise, we can do nothing if we are not connected to Jesus. He is the source of our strength and our life. We cannot bear fruit or continue to exist without Him. If we are not connected to Jesus, then we are like dead branches, good for nothing but to be cast into the fire.