The True Vine

Read John 15:1-17

“I am the true vine…” This is the last of the seven “I am” statements of Jesus in the Gospel. The Old Testament often uses the vineyard or the vine as a symbol for Israel, the covenant people of God. The inability of Israel to grow fruit, however, resulted in divine judgment. By comparison, Jesus is “the true vine.” He is the true Israel.  

Those who believe in Jesus will live in Him and they will produce fruit. And those who don’t bear fruit are not true believers. Jesus said that they will be cut off from the main vine. The true believers that bear fruit will be pruned so they will bear even more. Pruning, though painful, is necessary to remove negative things in the life of a believer, and what will only remain are branches that can bear even more fruit.  

From here, we can picture God tending His vineyard. As we continue to abide in the true vine and grow our personal relationship with Him, we will become more like Jesus, characterized by faith, prayer, obedience, and joy.