I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine dresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes
away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
In this passage three things are evident: Christ is the true and only vine, His Father is the vine dresser, and we are the branches. Also, there are two types of branches: those who bear fruit and those that don't bear fruit. What determines whether or not a tree bears fruit? The one who abides in Christ and Christ in Him is the one who bears fruit. Why was is it vital for his disciples as well as for us to bear fruit? It was vital for his disciples as well as for us to bear fruit because it glorifies God. This is seen in verse 8 where Christ says, "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." One of the marks of being Christ's disciple is bearing fruit. In Romans 7:4, Paul says this in reference to dying to the law: "you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God." We have been crucified with Christ so that we may bear fruit for God thus bringing Him glory. Sadly, I have heard various preachers of the Gospel beckon their hearers to receive salvation so that their hearers may have the best marriage, or receive financial blessings, or receive healing, or have a guilt free, easy life. Yes, God graciously can bless us with these things. However, this must not be the grounds of our discipleship and allegiance to Christ. Our hearts have strayed from the sheer essence of the Gospel if we consider these following statements to be the God-breathed and inspired truth found in the riches of His Word. God's glory rather than our glory was Christ's life pursuit, and may it be ours too. So, how can we glorify God and prove to be his disciples? How are we able to bear fruit for God? How do we abide in Christ and Christ in us? The answer to these questions is found in the first half of verse 10 where Jesus says, "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love." We are able to glorify God and abide in Christ through the keeping of His word. God's glory and our abiding in Christ and Christ in us in the keeping of His commandments is evident through bearing fruit. In this endeavor to glorify God, our hearts can be encouraged because Christ came to earth in the flesh and is our example. This is seen in the second half of verse 10 where Jesus says, "if you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in His love."
While meditating on this passage, a deeper cry stirs within. May I know His word more-- may my knowing His Word be coupled with doing. May my life pursuit be that of Christ's, God's glory. Truly, a wretched, wasted branch am I, one that is thrown into the fire, if I do not bear fruit nor magnify His name. Anything produced in my own strength is unable to magnify the Father of Glory.
Father, would you grant us the undeserved gift of not just knowing your word, but understanding your word; the strength to not just hear your word, but to do your word. Instill in us the unwavering conviction to despise the glorification of self. Rather produce in us a heart that is wholly, unswervingly, and unconditionally devoted to glorifying you. Father, would the words of Christ in John 15:1-11 be found to be evident in our lives today and forevermore, Amen.
I will depart with you the words of John Piper
"Seeing his glory forever is the greatest gift he can give to us. Praying and dying that we might have this gift is love. Resolving to fight with all our might that we might see what he died to show-- that is a great honor to Christ."
