In John 15, Jesus refers to Himself as the True Vine (John 15).  In His analogy, the Father is the Vinedresser, and we are the branches (vers. 1-2).  Jesus teaches several important lessons about the branches that we need to understand and act accordingly.  Here are three of them.

First, we see the importance of bearing fruit.  Jesus says that every branch that does not bear fruit is taken away.  He makes it clear that spiritual success depends on fruit-bearing.  If one does not bear fruit, he is useless and must be taken away.  This is because the only purpose for branches on a vine is to bear fruit.

Some branches are pretty and perfectly formed and some branches are ugly and deformed, but that makes no difference to their value.  Some of the most crooked and deformed branches on a vine are the most fruitful ones.  On the other hand, some branches are full of dark green leaves that are hearty and healthy in appearance but do not bring forth any fruit. What is the vinedresser going to do in these situations?  We all know, don’t we?  He is going to allow the crooked branch to keep on growing and cut off the perfectly formed branch.  Why?  Because the only purpose of the branch is to bear fruit.

Jesus tells us plainly what happens to those who do not bear fruit.  In the end, they are cast into the fire and burned (ver. 6).  We know what that means, don’t we?  If we do not bear fruit, we will be cast into the lake of fire and experience eternal punishment (Revelation 20:14-15).  Are you bearing fruit for the Lord?  Your soul depends on it.

Another lesson we learn is that even healthy branches have to be pruned from time to time (ver. 2).  To prune is to cut back the branches on the vine, and its purpose is to keep the branches healthy.  You see, the Vinedresser cares about every branch in the vineyard; so, he removes things from the branches that drain their vitality and strength. It might be a misdirected shoot or useless buds.  It might be suckering branches or discolored leaves.  Anything on the branch that consumes life but produces no fruit has to be removed!

Sometimes a branch has to be pruned because it has grown too much.  It is a healthy branch that is bearing fruit, but it has become too long and leafy.  If the vinedresser ignores it, it will get so leafy that it will put itself in danger, not only of ceasing to bear fruit, but also of breaking off the vine.  So, we learn that even good, healthy, fruit-bearing branches need attention from time to time.

There may be things in our lives that are not inherently sinful but ultimately put us in danger of not bearing fruit.  God wants to cut those things out of our lives.  Notice what Jesus said, “Every branch.”  If you bear fruit, you are going to be cut on from time to time.  The vinedresser looks at each branch and sooner or later concludes, “This one needs some pruning.”  If you are a faithful branch, you may as well get ready for it!  It’s inevitable.  We all need to be worked on once in a while.  Maybe we develop the habit of procrastination.  Perhaps we allow selfishness to get the best of us.  Whatever the problem is, God, through His Word (ver. 3), cuts it off, that is, He helps us to detect it and correct the problem.

Finally, we learn from Jesus that to bear the fruit that is crucial to our salvation, we must abide in Him (ver. 4).  You can read your Bible two hours a day and fast three days a week, it does not matter if you are not connected to the Vine.  You may be a good husband or wife, a fine father or mother, it does not matter if you are not connected to the Vine.  You may attend worship services every time the doors are open, it does not matter if you are not connected to the Vine.  All the works in the world will not save you unless you abide in Christ.

To abide means “to continue in a permanent state.”  It simply means “to stay.”   The life and strength of the branch come from the vine.  If the branch is severed from the vine, death is unavoidable. Nothing could be more emblematic of our relationship with Christ.  Our spiritual vitality and fruit-bearing ability come from Jesus, who is the source of our spiritual strength.  We must abide in Him.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.