vines & branches

I grew up on a small farm in southwestern Ohio in the '50's & '60's.

We had a grape arbor.

The imagery Jesus uses here about vines & branches is right on target.

Remember that these words were spoken by Jesus as He & the disciples walked to the Garden of Gethsemane.

iow, Jesus was telling them stuff a few hours before He was arrested & killed.

I doubt if He was being subtle her.

I think He was probably trying to jam as much last minute truth into the thick skulls of His disciples as He could.

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.