Read: John 15:1-8

Jesus began with an illustration of the vine and the branches. His teaching is straightforward and easily understood, yet many have misunderstandings about it.

There are three parties depicted in the illustration – the vine, the vinedresser, and the branches. Jesus explained, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser” (15:1). Identifying the vine and vinedresser is obvious from the first verse, but who are the branches? “I am the vine, you are the branches” (15:5).

It is important that we understand that when Jesus said, “You are the branches” (15:5), He was speaking to individuals. Many in the religious world, in their attempt to justify denominationalism, claim that the branches are denominations. In other words, the Baptist church, Methodist church, Lutheran church, and so on are all branches that grow off of – yet are still connected to – the vine (Jesus). However, Jesus made it clear that He was referring to individuals as the branches. Notice the words He used: “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch” (15:5-6). The branches in Jesus’ illustration can only refer to individual disciples.

The disciples, as branches, were expected to bear fruit (15:2). Even today, this means that Jesus’ disciples must be actively serving Him. However, it is not enough to do just anything we decide to do in His service (cf. Matthew 7:21-23); we must do what He has instructed. This was the point of Jesus’ statements: “The branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine,” and, “For apart from Me you can do nothing” (15:4-5). That does not mean that if they fell away they would be incapable of any action; instead, it meant that if they quit following the instructions of Christ, they would not be able to please Him and bear the proper fruit.

Those who do not bear fruit will be taken away (15:2). Jesus said, “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned” (15:6). This is a reference to divine judgment against those who failed to faithfully serve Him.

Those who do bear fruit “prove to be [Jesus’] disciples” (15:8). They will then be pruned so that they can bear more fruit (15:2). This is referring to the continued growth and maturity that will necessarily take place as Jesus’ disciples faithfully serve Him. These disciples were “already clean” or pruned “because of the word” that Jesus taught them (15:3). In fact, Jesus told them, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (15:7). This promise for asking and receiving was specifically for the apostles (cf. 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23). Yet this also teaches us how we abide in Jesus – by having His words abide in us. When His word abides in us, we will bear fruit (15:4-5).

The above post is an excerpt from the John Study Guide. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!