21 - The True Vine
Scripture Passages: John 15:1-16, Psalm 80
Devotional
It’s our final day of 21 Days in the Word, thank you for staying with us throughout the series, and we hope that it will be a resource you can look back to and share with others. Today as we complete our study, we're landing on one of the most profound of God’s names and aspects of his character. In John 15:1, Jesus says "I am the true vine".
It’s not just a statement about who Jesus is—it’s a call to understand our relationship with Him. Jesus is not just a vine, but the true vine. That word “true” is key. It implies there are other vines, but they’re not the source of life and fruit. Jesus is saying, “I am the real deal. The only one who can give you what you truly need to grow, to live, to thrive.”
For the disciples who heard this in the moment, it was more than a metaphor. Vineyards were everywhere in Israel. They knew that a healthy vine was essential for producing fruit. So when Jesus says He is the true vine, He’s making a powerful declaration that the path to God is through Him and Him alone. No more relying on the old ways, the old systems, the rituals of religion. Jesus is the way to life.
Jesus is the True Vine
John 15:1 says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” A husbandman is a gardener or a vine dresser. Jesus is saying, "I am the vine, and God the Father is the one who cares for the vine." The imagery here would’ve been familiar to the disciples—especially with their history of Israel being referred to as God’s vine in the Old Testament. But Jesus is taking it further.
In Isaiah 5, God speaks of His vineyard, Israel, which He had lovingly planted. Yet, instead of good fruit, it produced sour, wild grapes. Jesus is declaring that He is the true vine—the only one who will produce good, lasting fruit. And, ultimately, He’s inviting us to be part of that life-giving vine.
We all know that a branch can't live on its own; it’s only by being connected to the trunk, or vine that it can bear fruit. So Jesus is making it clear—apart from Him, we can do nothing. And this isn’t just about our salvation—it’s about how we live every day. If we want to live lives that honour God and bear fruit for His Kingdom, we have to stay connected to Jesus.
We Are the Branches
In verse 5, Jesus says, “I am the vine, ye are the branches.” As branches, we are not the source of life. We don't create fruit. But we have the privilege of bearing it. The life of the vine flows through the branches, and that life produces fruit. So, if we are connected to Jesus, His life flows through us, and we begin to see fruit in our lives.
But here's the thing: Jesus also says that the Father, the gardener, will prune the branches to make them even more fruitful (v.2). Pruning can feel painful. It’s that uncomfortable process where God cuts away the parts of us that aren't producing fruit or that are hindering us from growing. Yet, it’s in that pruning that we are shaped into who God wants us to be. The gardener’s goal is always fruitfulness. Even when it hurts, it's for our good. God’s commitment to our growth is greater than our desire for comfort.
What Does This Mean for Us?
Jesus didn’t just call us to follow Him; He called us to bear fruit. But that fruit doesn’t come by effort or willpower—it comes from our connection with Him. When we stay rooted in Him, when we abide in Him, His life flows through us, and fruit naturally follows.
In the same way, we can’t just go through the motions of being a Christian—doing things because we “should.” We have to be rooted in Jesus. Abiding in Him means a daily dependence on His strength, a constant connection to Him through prayer, His Word, and living out His commands. When we’re truly connected, the fruit of the Spirit grows in us—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Jesus warned that if we’re not connected to Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). Our efforts will be fruitless. But when we abide in Him, much fruit will come. Our lives will bear witness to His goodness, and we’ll be transformed into the image of Christ.
Are You Bearing Fruit?
So, here’s the question: Are you abiding in the true vine? Are you staying connected to Jesus so that His life can flow through you? It’s easy to get distracted by all the other things in life, but nothing compares to the fruit that comes from a life rooted in Him. Ask yourself:
Is there fruit in my life? Is it the fruit of the Spirit, or am I just going through the motions?
Am I willing to let God prune me so I can bear more fruit, even if it’s uncomfortable?
How can I better stay connected to Jesus every day?
It’s only through abiding in Him that we will bear fruit. So let’s commit to staying rooted in the true vine and living lives that reflect His glory.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for being the true vine, the source of life, and the one who enables us to bear good fruit. Help us to stay connected to You, to remain rooted in Your love and truth. We trust that Your pruning is for our good and that You will shape us into the people You’ve called us to be. May our lives bear much fruit for Your Kingdom, and may we bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.