The bread of life is the spiritual food that gives eternal life (1). Jesus is the light in darkness (2). He is the entrance into security and fellowship(3) , he is the guide and protector in life( 4), He is hope in death (5), he is certainty in perplexity (6) and he is the source of vitality for productiveness (7).[2] In all these statements Jesus is expressing his desire for humanity “He desired that people should receive him, not simply for what he might give them, but for what he might be to them.”[3] This time we look at the 7th and final “I AM” statement in John 15:1-11.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 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. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 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. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:1-11)
In this final I AM statement we return to a simple analogy that Jesus uses to illustrate a spiritual truth. The imagery is of a vineyard and a farmer and would be a familiar one to Jesus’ listeners, both historically and physically. Historically, the Israelites had been described in the Old Testament as God’s vineyard (Psalm 80; Isa 5:1-7). Physically, vineyards were a common sight in Israel.
Jesus emphasizes first that he is the true vine. There are many types of vines in the world, but only the true vine produces the desired fruit. Historically, Israel was to be God’s vineyard, but for the most part they failed to produce the fruit that God the vinedresser desired. As the true vine, Jesus does produce the desired fruit.[4] Through Jesus, and only through Jesus, people can access God the Father. Thus, Jesus fulfills what Israel as a nation was unable to do.
The second feature of this I AM statement is that God is the vinedresser or farmer. The responsible farmer takes care of the vineyard: “He tends it, waters it, and endeavors to protect it and cultivate it so that it will produce its maximum yield.”[5] The care of the vines includes the paradoxical process of pruning. By strategically cutting back the vines, the farmer increases the yield. The speaks to the process of growing as a believer; God must work in people’s hearts and lives, pruning, trimming, and shaping. It is again about relationship. Just as we saw earlier in this series, Jesus as the shepherd has an owner’s interest in his sheep, so here the farmer (God) is invested in the health and growth of his crop.
As God is portrayed as the farmer, and Jesus as the vine, so disciples are portrayed as the branches of the vine. It is common sense that only as the branches remain in the vine that they bear fruit. This is about the connection and relationship between Jesus and people. It must be emphasized that a fruitless life is evidence that someone is not a genuine believer. Without relationship and connection with Jesus people are like a cut off branch that withers and dries up. By remaining vitally connected to Jesus, the true vine, followers of Jesus are enabled through him, to produce the fruit that God desires. [6]
Much of the lesson of the Old Testament is that without a vital connection to Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit in every believer, people are simply unable to do what God desires. The only solution is Jesus, the true vine, the only access to God the father. Believers grow by being connected to the true vine and specifically by obeying Jesus, reading the scriptures and prayer. Notice in this analogy that the outcome of the branches that remain in the vine is never in doubt. The promise is that those who remain in Jesus will bear fruit.
We talked 2 weeks ago about how resurrection life starts now for those who choose to follow Jesus. Today again we see that life is not just about waiting for eternity. The vine produces the vitality essential for the life of the branches right now. Not only are believers branches in the vine, but believers are invited into the fellowship of God the Father and Jesus the son right now. This fellowship is all about love and is probably a bigger deal than people realize. It is an amazing privilege to be part of Jesus, the true vine, in relationship with God the Father. [7] This does not just happen though: followers of Jesus are given an instruction with a promise. “Abide in my love – if you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love.” (John 15:9-10)
As people abide in Jesus’ love, they abide in the fellowship of the Trinity. Hanging out in that kind of company there is only one result. The fruit of a life lived in Jesus is love – love for God and love for others.[8] This kind of love produces joy. “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11)
[1] Barker and Kohlenberger III eds, Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition: New Testament, 1994, pg 316
[2] Barker and Kohlenberger III eds, Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition: New Testament, 1994, pg 316
[3] Barker and Kohlenberger III eds, Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition: New Testament, 1994, pg 316
[4] Kruse, C. G. (2003). John: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 4, p. 311). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[5] Barker and Kohlenberger III eds, Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition: New Testament, 1994, pg 350
[6] Barker and Kohlenberger III eds, Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition: New Testament, 1994, pg 350
[7] Kruse, C. G. (2003). John: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 4, p. 315). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[8] Arrington and Stronstad eds, Life in the Spirit New Testament Commentary, 1999 pg 90