(REFLECTIONS ON John 15:1-27)

In today’s Scripture, Jesus gives another “I am” statement, saying, “I am the true vine.” His Father, God, is the vinedresser, and we are the branches. Jesus then emphasizes that we as the branches need to abide in Him, meaning that as the branches we need to stay connected to Him as the true vine.

That Jesus is not just a vine, but the true vine, reminds us to consider who or what we attach ourselves, our lives, and our faith to. Is it the true vine, or what vine is it? The role of God as the vinedresser is also important. Jesus said,

2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear fruit.”

We are the branches, but only some bear fruit, while others do not bear fruit. God, as the vinedresser, prunes the branches that bear fruit, so that they can bear more fruit, and takes away those that do not bear fruit.

Interestingly, bearing fruit and abiding in Jesus are connected. As Jesus said,

6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up;”

We are the branches, and only if we abide or remain in Jesus will we bear fruit, and be pruned to bear more fruit by the vinedresser (God). If not, then we will be thrown away as a branch. How then do we abide or remain in Jesus?

Jesus said,

10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love.”

Jesus then provides the commandment, not just as an example of His commandments, but to focus His disciples and us as His church on a fundamental commandment that captures the essence and heart of His commandments,

12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”

If we love one another, we will abide in Him and He in us. If we abide in Jesus, then we will bear fruit and be pruned so that we can bear more fruit.

The pruning process is not a curse, but a blessing, and will bring us more and more in alignment with God. However, if we refuse to “love one another, just as I have loved you,” then how can we abide in Him? If we do not abide in Him, then are we truly attached to the true vine? If we are not attached to the true vine, then what will the vinedresser do with us?

What do we do then if we can’t find it in our hearts to love one another, just as Jesus loved us? That is the paradox of our faith. Jesus said, “apart from Me you can do nothing.” The very command we are called to obey is the very thing we are unable to do on our own. The branch does not produce fruit or love by striving, but by abiding.

May we, as the branches, remain in the true vine so that His life flows through us, His love is formed in us, and His fruit is revealed through us.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: John 15