Be Connected, Be Fruitful

Overview of John

Why did John write this book? The answer is in:

John 20:30–31 ESV

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

I Am

In John 8:58, Jesus makes the most direct claim to divinity: "Before Abraham was born, I am!"

This is a clear reference to the incident of Moses and the burning bush in Exodus 3:14. God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”The Jewish audience understood it as a claim to be YHWH, which is why they attempted to stone Him for blasphemy (John 8:59).

By using "I AM" in this way, Jesus identifies Himself as eternal and one with the Father.

OT Cross Referencing

The writer of this gospel, John uses a technique by pointing or cross referencing to the OT to elaborate on Jesus’ claim to be God by employing 7 I am declarations. John inspired by the Holy Spirit masterfully weaves the covenant roles of God in the Old Testament into his writings of these 7 I am’s. The table illustrates the parallels:

God provides manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16).                                         "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35).                                        Jesus is the true sustenance for spiritual and eternal life. God leads Israel with fire and cloud (Exodus 13:21).                                         "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12).                                         Jesus is the divine light guiding believers out of darkness. God is the gate of salvation, protecting His people (Exodus 12:7, the Passover).                                         "I am the door for the sheep" (John 10:7).                                         Jesus is the entry point to salvation and eternal security. God shepherds His people (Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34).                                         "I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11).       Jesus cares for, protects, and sacrifices for His followers, as God did for Israel. God promises resurrection (Isaiah 26:19).                                         "I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25).                                         Jesus fulfills God’s promise of life beyond death. God is the way to Himself (Exodus 33:13).                                         "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).                                         Jesus is the exclusive path to God, embodying divine truth and eternal life. Israel is God’s vineyard, but unfaithful (Isaiah 5:1–7; Psalm 80:8; Jeremiah 2:21).                                         "I am the true vine" (John 15:1).                                         Jesus fulfills Israel’s role as God’s fruitful vine, enabling believers to bear spiritual fruit. From the above parallels we can see how Jesus fulfill the covenant role of God in the OT. These statements not only reveal Jesus' divine nature (echoing God's self-revelation as "I AM" in Exodus 3:14) but also provide a comprehensive picture of His mission and relationship with humanity. Each statement is rich in spiritual significance and helps deepen understanding of Jesus' role as Savior and Sustainer.

Why is "I am the true vine" last:

There seems to be a meaningful flow and progression to the seven "I Am" statements in the Gospel of John, reflecting both Jesus' identity and His relationship with humanity. The order is not random but appears to follow a deliberate structure that deepens understanding of His mission and our response to Him. This vine passage includes a:

Focus on Fruitfulness:

The vine imagery underscores the result of abiding in Jesus—bearing fruit. It symbolizes the mission of believers to reflect Jesus’ love, character, and work in the world. This is the natural outcome of everything the previous 6 statements build toward.

Preparation for the Church:

Jesus speaks this during His farewell discourse (John 13–17), preparing His disciples for life after His death, resurrection, and ascension. The focus shifts to their responsibility to remain connected to Him and fulfill His mission.

Completion of the Relationship:

The previous 6 I am statements establish who Jesus is and what He offers (life, light, access, care, resurrection, and the way to the Father). The vine completes the picture by emphasizing the believer’s response—remaining in Him to grow, flourish, and fulfill God’s purposes.

Abide in Him

I want us to focus on the word “Abide”. I am going to read John 15:4–11 and try to pick up how many times you hear the word abide. “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. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

We know the New Testament was written in Greek so if we look at the Greek equivalent of this word we come across μενω pronounced as ménō. John uses this word “ménō” a lot in his gospel (40 times) and the books of one and two John (27 times). And in this chapter he uses it 11 times (in the Greek bible). This indicates that we should take note of this word as it seems to be important.

μένω (ménō) means:

To remain, stay, or continue in a place or relationship.

To dwell or endure over time, not just a temporary presence.

To be steadfast, not depart, or be unchanging.

Spiritual meaning

John 6:54–56 ESV

Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.

Eating His Flesh and Drinking His Blood = Receiving Christ’s Life Through Faith in His Sacrifice.

It symbolizes complete dependence on Jesus for eternal life. Jesus’ sacrifice SUSTAINS eternal life

True faith is not just believing once but continually abiding in Him.

Abiding in Christ = A Deep, Intimate, Ongoing Relationship With Him.

Communion symbolizes what Jesus is teaching here—our spiritual union with Him.

This Verse foreshadows the Lord’s Supper and reality it represents.

Though this passage is not directly about the Lord’s Supper, it foreshadows it

The focus in John 6 is not on the ritual of the Lord’s Supper but on the reality it represents: union with Christ through faith.

Be Connected Be Fruitful

John 15:4–5 ESV

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.

We can see that it is this union with Christ (i.e. being part of the True Vine) that results in the fruit we bear. It is not the fruit that results in the union because then YOU are the source. No, Jesus is our source and sustainer to help us make an impact thereby bringing His kingdom to a world in need. True spiritual fruitfulness is only possible through an abiding relationship with Christ, characterized by love and obedience, empowering believers to fulfill their divine purpose.

Questions for Reflection

How can you incorporate the concept of 'abiding' in your daily routine and relationships? creation (sunsets), fellowship at church, spending time with fellow believers 1:1, practising thankfulness, reading your bible, prayer

How can your understanding of Jesus as the True Vine affect your approach to challenges and difficulties in your life?

What fruit do you believe God is calling you to bear in your life right now? BL

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APPENDIX

“True” Vine

In this particular passage in John 15 Jesus refers to himself as the “True” Vine. Why not just Vine? Why is He adding the “True” into this? Israel was supposed to be the vine that brought God’s salvation to the world but Israel failed miserably due to their persistent unfaithfulness as we see in Isaiah 5:1–5 “Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more was there to do for my vineyard, that I have not done in it? When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes? And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down.”