My Disciples

John 15:1–8 NRSV

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just 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. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

Fruit- everything from grapes to tomatoes. The powerful thing about fruit is they not only contain nutrition, but they also contain the ability to multiply. The seeds are often within. A garden or a fruit grove or a vineyard are wonderful, natural and beautiful. They tend to be a flourishing environment. They are a powerful metaphor for what church can be at its best.

But this imagery has a history in the Bible and among God’s people. is a similar image and I’ll say more about that later.

Wright, T. (2004). John for Everyone, Part 2: Chapters 11-21 (p. 70). London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

Bearing fruit is the result of a process. Soil is prepared. Seeds are planted. Vines begin to grow. Nutrients and water are added. A complex process happens deep within the vine. Branches are pruned where necessary. More growth happens. Finally fruit begins to show at the end of the branch. It’s invisible to the naked eye, but it’s either happening or it’s not. We often judge by the outward appearance. We may become impatient. But God is patient and knows what it takes to produce fruit.

Fruit is not for us, either. We are the branches and the fruit grows out from the vine and from within us. It is desirable to others around us. If they know we are following Jesus, they can taste and see by interacting with us. If we are holy and loving and kind it will give them a sweet taste of what Jesus is like.

But here’s the key: there’s only one way it can happen:

If we abide in Christ, showing ourselves to be His disciples.

What does abiding mean?

First of all-it means staying put long enough to benefit from the vine. It’s about remaining, living, dwelling. Staying connected to God. Avoiding getting sucked too deep into the world.

What does abiding look like?

It looks like prayer, reading, waiting, then moving out in step with the Spirit.

“Abide in me as I abide in you.”

John 15:4 NRSV

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.

( NRSV)

Can anyone do it?

Great question—anyone who is following Jesus. But you have to be grafted into the vine before you can abide in the vine.

You can’t remain in a place you’ve never been. Have you been to the cross? Have you met Jesus? He gave his life for you. Have you given it back? That’s where abiding begins.

What difference does it make?

Life slows down a bit. It can be boring to wait for God. It can be frustrating in our instant-on culture to have to slow down and listen. So there’s an adjustment to doing things God’s way. Sometimes we get anxious in the quiet moments. But hopefully we can make the adjustment and discover a new kind of peace. But it’s not a happily ever after kind of peace. You may feel the pain of life a little more when you care and live with passion and try to love and slow down enough to pay attention to what God and life are teaching you. But isn’t that better than just being numb all the time?

One difference it makes is avoiding judgment. Let’s get back to that Isaiah passage where Israel is God’s vineyard. God treated that garden like a tender love. But it just wouldn’t give him what he wanted. No sweet juice, just wild. The kind you want to spit out right away.

Isaiah 5:1–7 NRSV

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; he expected it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people 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 expected 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. I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and it shall be overgrown with briers and thorns; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his pleasant planting; he expected justice, but saw bloodshed; righteousness, but heard a cry!

So God did all that loving preparation and sacrificially served this garden but it wouldn’t give back. So he was sorry he made the garden. He decided to tear it down and begin again.

John for Everyone, Part 2: Chapters 11–21 The True Vine (John 15:1–8)

Now Jesus is saying that he is the ‘true vine’. This can only mean that he is, in himself, the true Israel. He is the one on whom God’s purposes are now resting. And his followers are members of God’s true people—if they belong to him and remain ‘in’ him. The picture of the ‘vine’ isn’t just a clever illustration from gardening. It is about who Jesus and his people really are, and what is now going to happen to them as a result.

So there were consequences in the original passage; quite devastating ones. But in Jesus, just like always, new things are now possible. Israel struggled to get it right, but Jesus never took his eye off the ball. He’s getting it right. Before, God was the gardener. Now Jesus IS the essential part of the garden. Once again, he decides it’s not enough to be affecting or designing the world. He enters in to what became flawed and makes it all new again. The gardener is also the garden. Now if we get ourselves reattached to him great things are possible. But to make that choice is to choose not to be in charge of our own lives. We submit. Now we can know better.

But there are still consequences. If we don’t stay connected we become dried up and useless. Fruitless branches are pruned so they might produce more. Branches that detach from the vine don’t last. Glorious freedom? Hah, more like certain death.

John 15:5 NRSV

I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.

God the Father is our Gardener. He always does his part. If we are not fruitful there is only one possibility. Now, understand we are not talking about successful. Fruitful is not the same as successful. God’s blessings are not only found in worldly outward symbols. Plus, you can have all the success markers people look for but be spiritually empty. Numbers and bank accounts will not save you. Abiding in the vine won’t make you seem like a go-getter on certain days at certain times. But that’s ok. You’re getting what is most essential and preparing for times of more intense action. Others may never see, but that’s ok. You’re not trying to please them. You’re too busy abiding in the vine.

Don’t get too excited—this is not name it claim it. “Ask whatever you will.” But when you’re abiding in the vine you just won’t want the same things as the world. Things will have a surrendered purpose. People will have value for who they are. When you’re abiding, the things you will ask for will look different. So it will be easy for a holy God to say yes.

John 15:8 NRSV

My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

Disciples are true followers. They go where Jesus goes. But they also hang out where Jesus hangs out. Sometimes with the poor. Sometimes with the downtrodden and overlooked. Sometimes in church. But always connected.

Before you can do great things for God. You’ve got to become great by being with God. Who you are will speak louder than your words. Let’s pray...