I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He [a]takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you[b] will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15v1-8
We find ourselves in chapter 15 of the gospel of John, at the last supper before the crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus is taking the opportunity to give his final instructions to his disciples. He knows that he is headed to the cross to die and to rise again. He knows that his relationship with his disciples will be forever changed - no longer will they live together, share meals together and be in close proximity. The physical aspect of their relationship will be no more.
Jesus also knows that because he will be physically separated from his disciples, that their tendency will be to try and continue the ministry of Jesus, but in their own way, with their own strength and through their own abilities. With Jesus now out of the picture, they will turn to relying on themselves. They have watched Jesus for three years, they have seen him perform miracles, they themselves went out two by two preaching and seeing miracles. It would be easy for them to do some works, perform some miracles and begin to think it’s because of who they are and what they can do.
It is here we see that Jesus uses the illustration of the vine and the branches to explain to his disciples, that is only by their connection to him that they can bear fruit and glorify the Father.
Jesus emphasises the point that all spiritual works and fruits can only come from him, and from connection to him. It’s not in us, and therefore we can’t produce it on our own. The only way we can get it, is directly from Jesus and by our closeness with him - by remaining on the vine.
In this portion of text, Jesus mentions 2 keys things:
If you abide in me and my words abide in you
The importance of the Word of God as a believer can never be underestimated. We must read God’s word, we must know God’s word but ultimately, we must OBEY God’s word. Knowing the word is important but we must submit to it in order for us to bear fruits worthy of repentance. If we are the conduit of God’s spirit and we are living in disobedience to God’s word, we are blocking the flow of the spirit of God in our lives. And if God’s spirit is blocked or hindered by areas of disobedience in our lives, how will we bear fruit? Jesus said “I am the TRUE vine’ - that means he is the genuine real deal! There is never a problem with the source - it’s never God’s lack of power, or his inability to produce. It’s the conduit that has a role to play in giving Christ access and a way through our lives to reach others. I love this excerpt from C H Spurgeon:
“How important, then, are Christ’s words! He said in the fourth verse, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you,” and now as a parallel to this it is, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you.” What? Are Christ’s words and his person identical--one and the same? Yes, practically speaking. Some people talk about Christ being their Master, but they don’t care what his word declares about doctrines. So long as their hearts are right towards his person they claim freedom of thought. Yes, but this is a mere ploy. We cannot separate Christ from the Word; for, in the first place, he is the Word; and, in the next place, how dare we call him Master and Lord and do not obey his commands, and reject the truth which he teaches? We must obey his commands or he will not accept us as disciples. Especially that command of love which is the essence of all his words. We must love God and our brothers and sisters; yes, we must take pleasure in loving everyone, and seek their good. Anger and hatred must not be a part of us. We must walk even as he walked. If Christ’s words don’t remain in you, both as to belief and practice, then you are not in Christ. Christ and his gospel and his commands are one. If you will not have Christ and his words, neither will he have you nor your words; and you will ask in vain, you will in time give up asking, you will become like a withered branch. Beloved, I am persuaded of better things in your case, and things that accompany salvation, that is why I speak as I do.”
The second thing that Jesus mentions is:
You will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you
The power of prayer and bringing our petitions to God is established as a key cornerstone in us remaining in Christ and strengthening our relationship with him. Because we lack the ability to produce fruit on our own, we must ask the person who can! Jesus knows it’s our desire to bear fruit and he knows that we can’t do it on our own, that’s why he promises to give it to us if we ask.
The act of asking in prayer is us acknowledging that we are not the source, that we can’t do it on our strength, but that we rely on him and remain in him. We hear again from the wisdom of C H Spurgeon:
“Prayer is the natural outflow of a soul in communion with Jesus. Just as the leaf and the fruit will come out of the branch, without any conscious effort on the part of the branch, but simply because of its living union with the stem, so prayer buds, and blossoms, and fruits come out of souls remaining in Jesus. Just like stars shine, so do those who remain in Christ pray. It is their purpose and their second nature. They do not say to themselves, “Now it is the time for us to do our duty and pray.” No, they pray just like men eat, namely, when the desire comes upon them. They don’t cry out like those in bondage, saying, “I should be in prayer right now, but I do not feel like it. What a burden it is!” Rather they are happy and rejoice to go to the mercy-seat. Hearts that remain in Christ send forth supplications just like fires send out flames and sparks. Souls that remain in Jesus begin the day with prayer; prayer surrounds them like an atmosphere all day long; at night they fall asleep praying. I have known them to even dream a prayer, and, at any rate, they are joyfully able to say, “When I awake, I am still with you.” Habitual asking comes from remaining in Christ. You will not need to be urged to prayer when you remain in Jesus: he says, “Ask whatever you wish;” and depend on it, you will.
Eloquence in prayer is a questionable endowment, especially when it does not include the weight of thought and depth of feeling. Some Christians pray long prayers; but true prayer is measured by weight, and not by length. A single groan before God may have more fullness of prayer in it than a fine discourse of great length. Whoever dwells with God in Christ Jesus, they are the ones most active in prayer. They come boldly because they remain at the throne. They see the golden scepter stretched out, and hears the King saying, “Ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” It is the person who remains in conscious union with their Lord who has the greatest freedom in prayer. It is easy for them to often come to Christ, for they are in Christ, and remain in him. Don’t attempt to exercise this holy freedom by excitement, or presumption: there is only one way of really obtaining it, and here it is--“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish” Only by this way will you be enabled to open your mouth wide, so that God may fill it. Thus you will have power with God.”
In our pursuit of fruitfulness, let’s remember that Jesus is the True Vine. He is the source of life, the source of fruitfulness and without him we can do nothing. Let’s be women of the Word, not just hearers (or readers!) but doers - clearing all blockages that may hinder God’s spirit. And let’s remember to ask, seek and knock - because we know who has the goods and he is willing to give them to us.
“The branch of the vine does not worry, and toil and rush here to seek for sunshine, and there to find rain. No; it rests in union and communion with the vine; and at the right time, and in the right way, is the right fruit found on it. Let us so abide in the Lord Jesus.”
-Hudson Taylor