Jesus, the True Vine

Jesus Christ, The True Vine Devotional Reading September 4, 2023

“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 bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” —John 15:1-2

To understand Jesus’ parable, one must possess knowledge of the growth of grape vines and the process of vineyard management. “The trunk of a mature vine will have arms, short branches…usually trained horizontally along a trellis wire. It should be noted that most basal buds…are generally not fruitful and do not grow out. These are often referred to as non-count buds during the pruning process…only the fruiting spurs that produce grapes are kept on the vine.” https://grapes.extension.org/parts-of-the-grape-vine-shoots/

The pruning severity relies on several factors as determined by the vinedresser whose goal is to produce only the highest quality fruit. The branches [buds] that do not produce fruit are cut away because they serve no purpose.

Jesus is the true vine, God, the Father is the vinedresser, and converted believers are the branches. In this parable, Jesus defines the role of Himself, God, the Father, and Christian believers. Jesus also clarifies that all believers are dependent on Him to receive the spiritual nourishment necessary for spiritual growth and transformation.

God, the Father [The Vinedresser] prunes us to transform our mind, character, and personality into one of righteousness and also to produce the Fruit of the Spirit. “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you” (1 Peter 4:12).

Christian believers are the branches that receive pruning to produce the fruit of righteousness. Every day, we receive God’s grace and mercies, spiritual guidance from the Scriptures, continued hope from answered prayers, and revelation of our character deficits. The Holy Spirit empowers us to resist temptation and gives us discernment of the truth.

We will always require Divine Intervention to stay in our relationship with Christ. Without the Holy Spirit, we could never achieve God’s command to “Be holy, for I Am Holy.”

Sanctification is the lifelong spiritual process of our transformation into the likeness of Christ accomplished by the Holy Spirit. Yet, our part requires total surrender and faithful obedience. We are living in the last days of Earth’s history and must take a decisive stand of total commitment to receive the Seal of God before Jesus’ Second Coming.

“You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.” — John 15:3

What did Jesus mean by “You are already clean?” “You have confessed your sins, and in your heart put them away. You have resolved to give yourself to God. Now go to Him, and ask that He will wash away your sins and give you a new heart.” Steps to Christ, Ellen G. White

Faith, Acceptance, Surrender, Confession, and Repentance is the human effort required to have salvation. Jesus, the Living Water washes away our sins and we live as steadfast followers of Christ who possess the determination to go all the way with Christ who is ready to give us our reward of eternal life [Revelation 22:12].

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” —John 15:4.

Many believers do not understand that we do not belong to ourselves once we accept Christ as our Savior. A Christian is a disciple, a follower of Christ who commits to doing the will of God. Our desires change, we do not follow our whims and inclinations, and our spoken words and actions reflect holiness.

To abide in Christ, we must have the mindset of faithful obedience and practice self-denial. Our willingness to surrender and obey is evidenced by much prayer and diligent study of the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit empowers us and gives us strength and guidance to stay in alignment with the will of God.

Jesus’ earthly life demonstrated His desire to always do His Father’s will. Jesus spent hours in prayer each day to faithfully abide in God, His Father. Christ’s Attitude was always, “Nevertheless, not My will, but Your will be done.” And our obedient Savior committed Himself to a heinous death on Calvary’s cross for our redemption— to save us from death, the wages of sin.

“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross” Philippians 2:7-8, KJV, BSB).

Our relationship with Christ is based on surrender, faith, and obedience. The sacrifice of total surrender and obedience that God requires of us is defined by God. Cain serves as an example that disobeying God and following your own thoughts can lead to rejection and removal from the Vine.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me, you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” —John 15:5-6

“The vine and the branches explain how believers are intimately connected to Christ, receiving moral and spiritual power through the Holy Spirit who makes Christ present within.” Katrina B. Blue, Andrews University

Every branch that bears fruit is a living representative of the vine, for it bears the same fruit as the vine…Every branch will show whether or not it has life; for where there is life, there is growth. There is a continual communication of the life-giving properties of the vine, and this is demonstrated by the fruit which the branches bear. Ellen G. White

Scripture: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” —John 15:7-8

Prayer: God, we are praying and asking You to save us from ourselves. We confess that we are half-heartedly serving You and for our disobedience, we ask for forgiveness. Lord, we desire to be thriving branches which bear much fruit. We ask for the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit to give us strength and direct us in our daily lives to do Your will and fulfill Your plans for our lives. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.

© 2023 Steps 2 Success with Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries