vines

Just remember that these words were spoken by Jesus to His disciples the night before He was killed.

They were probably walking along, heading to the Garden of Gethsemane.

I doubt if He was being subtle or vague.

I figure we was cutting to the chase - He has little time left with them, so He probably was prudent with every word.

Btw, I great up on a farm. 
We had a grape arbor. 
The imagery of He uses here is spot on.
The really good vines we trimmed back so they would produce more grapes - if we didn't, the extraneous parts of the vine, what my mom called suckers, would drain the vine of fruit producing power. 
And the ones that didn't produce, we'd cut off & burned.



John 15

1 "I am the true grapevine, 

and my Father is the gardener.

2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, 

and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.

3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.

4 Remain in me, 

and I will remain in you. 

For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, 

and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.



  5 "Yes, I am the vine; 

you are the branches. 

Those who remain in me, 

and I in them, 

will produce much fruit. 

For apart from me 

you can do nothing.

6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers.

Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.

7 But if you remain in me 

and my words remain in you, 

you may ask for anything you want, 

and it will be granted!

8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. 

This brings great glory to my Father.



  9 "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. 

Remain in my love.

10 When you obey my commandments, 

you remain in my love, 

just as I obey my Father's commandments 

and remain in his love.

11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. 

Yes, your joy will overflow!


12 This is my commandment: 

Love each other in the same way I have loved you.

13 There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.

14 You are my friends if you do what I command.

15 I no longer call you slaves, 

because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. 

Now you are my friends, 

since I have told you everything the Father told me.


16 You didn't choose me. 

I chose you. 

I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, 

so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, 

using my name.


17 This is my command: 

Love each other.