Jesus said: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 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." (John 15:1–9).
A vineyard is a common symbol in the Old Testament for the nation of Israel. Whenever Israel is spoken of in the Old Testament, where this image of vineyard
is used, it always describes Israel's failure to bear fruit (Jer 2:21), see:
John 15 (Part 1) :1-9 • Abiding in Jesus. By this statement, Jesus boldly declared that he was the one to whom Israel pointed. The one who bears good fruit
as contrast to the nation of Israel. Jesus is the one who fulfills the Jewish Law
and the Jewish feasts, see Jesus and the Law. He speaks with an authority
greater than Moses and explains to us that the very focus of all that came before
is in him. This explained his deity, see Jesus is God.
(John 15:4). By doing so, we bear good fruit for Jesus (Mat 7:16b–18). The reason
a tree is pruned is to bear more good fruit (John 15:2b). There is a supernatural cleansing in the Word of God when we embrace it into our lives (John 15:3,
8:31–32). Jesus also warns us for not abiding in him (John 15:2a, 6). See how
to abide in Christ from time 21:35 in John 15 (Part 1) :1-9 • Abiding in Jesus.
