Jesus prepares the coming cross and empty tomb …

 John 15:1-5

¹ “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

“Abiding in Jesus…bear fruit”

This is a very rich parable in many ways. Jesus has just held the last supper, washed his disciples’ feet, and foretold the betrayals of Judas and Peter. This passage is part of the last teachings he gives his disciples, reassuring them and also promising them the Holy Spirit. He has just told them to stand up, and it’s not clear if this parable is told just before they leave, or as they walk together to Gethsemane, where he suffers and is betrayed and arrested.

Although we have many vineyards in Switzerland, we don’t all share the disciples’ common cultural understanding of the care they require. The parable says that Jesus is the vine that provides support and sustenance to the branches, and the Father is the vinedresser (more evocative than “gardener” in modern translations). The vinedresser prunes the branches to increase the yield, but the Greek verb aero (“to take away”) can also mean to “take up” (or “lift”). The vinedresser also takes branches that have a natural tendency to droop or sag (as we do) and lifts them and gives them support with a stick or trellis. The vinedresser tends the vine for many seasons, and has the knowledge and judgment to prune back where it is needed. Don’t forget too, that vines are normally pruned in winter, when they may appear dry or dead. So, if you are going through a dry season, God’s pruning may seem (or feel) too much, but he knows what we need to be fruitful. The fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5 are the real goal and purpose of both the vine and vinedresser.  Matthew Henry simply says our fruit should be “a Christian temper, disposition and life.” To extend the parable, the breath (pneuma or ruach) of the Spirit is the air that provides all the carbon for the plant’s growth!

Besides the agricultural meanings of the parable, Jesus’ listeners would also have had a rich associative context from the Old Testament. Israel is referred to as God’s vine that he plants (Psalm 80), that grows (Hosea 10), then turns sour (Isaiah 5), and becomes corrupt or false (Jeremiah 2), before their exile. (Today, grapes are still the symbol of Israeli tourism that greets you at Tel Aviv airport). And according to the Roman historian Josephus, the inner gate of the temple was wreathed in a great vine of gold, which the disciples saw that week and may have prompted this parable. So, Jesus succeeds Israel as the true vine, and we in turn as gentiles are grafted in, extending it to all the world (as embodied at IPC).

How do we abide in him? “Abide” resonates with many synonyms - to dwell, sojourn, remain, wait, stay, acquiesce, suffer, or conform with patience, resolve, endurance, and steadfastness. And there are also many terms for the practice of abiding in him ─ mindful presence, work and prayer (ora et labora), and habitual prayer (e.g., this devotional). Remember, the parable promises it is a 2-way street, and that as we abide in him, he will strengthen and abide in us.

Prayer
Lord, help us to be mindful, and aware in your presence throughout each day, so that we may grow and bear much fruit for your glory. Amen.