Read John 15:1 – 8 : Jesus the True Vine

Isn’t Jesus good at making and illustrating ideas with words?

One of the most beautiful and meaningful metaphors he used is that of himself as the “true vine.” This imagery, found in the Gospel of John, offers us deep insights into our relationship with the divine.

Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.” This powerful metaphor invites us to see ourselves as the branches, drawing our nourishment and life from the true vine, which is Jesus himself.

The vine is a rich symbol in the Judeo-Christian tradition, representing the people of God. In the Old Testament, the vine was often used to depict the nation of Israel. But Jesus declares that he is the “true vine” – the authentic source of life and fruitfulness for all who would follow him.

As the true vine, Jesus is the source of our spiritual sustenance. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own, apart from the vine, we cannot truly flourish and bear the fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – without remaining deeply connected to Christ. Our spiritual vitality is entirely dependent on our abiding relationship with him.

The vinegrower is God, who carefully tends to the vine, pruning away anything that hinders its growth and productivity. This pruning process can be painful, but it is necessary for the vine to reach its full potential. In the same way, God’s loving discipline in our lives, though sometimes difficult, is aimed at helping us become all that he created us to be.

As branches connected to the true vine, we are called to bear much fruit. Jesus says, “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” Our fruitfulness is not merely for our own benefit, but for the glory of God and the blessing of the world around us. When we abide in Christ and allow his very life-blood to flow through us, we become conduits of his grace, compassion, and transformative power.

Jesus is the source of all life and nourishment for those who follow him. Just as a vine is the conduit through which life-giving sap flows to the branches, so too Jesus is the source of the spiritual sustenance, the sap, we need to thrive.

The metaphor of the vine and the branches is a beautiful invitation to a deep, intimate, and life-giving relationship with Jesus. It reminds us that apart from him, we are lesser human beings than we truly could be, but that in him, we can be ‘more’! We can bear fruit that will last.

So, become or remain rooted and grounded in the true vine, drawing sustenance from Jesus, and allowing his life to flow through us to the glory of God and the blessing and flourishing of the world and all its people.

Rev Janine