In His teachings Jesus used allegories. He is the Good Shepherd, the Light of the World, the Bread of Life, the Door of the Sheepfold, the Living Water, and the True Vine. In the passage under consideration several reasoning have been put forth for the use of the word vine. Perhaps because of the introduction of the Lord of the Lord’s Supper, or perhaps they passed by the Temple which according to Josephus had a golden vine over the door or maybe actual vine that they had passed by. No matter the reason, Jesus uses this term to teach a several lessons that all should pay attention to if they seek to find heaven.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman”, (John 15:1). If anyone has done much gardening, they understand the meaning of this statement of the Lord. The vine is the life of the plant and of any fruit that comes forth. If the vine is damaged the plant will not produce the proper fruit, for it gives life. Guy N.
Woods stated that Jesus is the “real and genuine vine, and perfect in fruit-bearing, as opposed to one without life-giving properties”.
(Woods, 321). It is through Jesus that the “food” and “water” necessary for spiritual growth and life flows.
Jesus serves as the antetype to Israel of old which was compared to a vine by the Psalmist (Psalm 80:8 – 16) and as an empty vine (Hos. 10:1). The prophet Isaiah spoke of God’s vineyard (Isaiah 5:1 – 7). This vineyard was a disappointment to God for the people were corrupt. Despite all the care given by God this vineyard produced wild grapes. Not so with Jesus the true vine. In Christ is salvation to be found and all who follow Jesus can have salvation.
God being the Husbandman is not a hired hand but is the owner and has great interest in His possession. God has always cared for His children providing all they need to have for salvation. Under the Old Law God gave ample instruction to His people on how to be faithful to Him, but they failed in following the true way. God in the Christian age has given all man needs to attain salvation and the most important gift was that of His Son (John 3:16).
When the Great Commission was given by Jesus it was to teach His disciples that they were to go teach and baptize (Matt. 28:18 – 20). Here one sees the perpetual motion of spreading the gospel.
This is how “fruit” is produced, and only by abiding in the True Vine can this happen. Christians who fail to see the importance of evangelism need to study this passage seriously. The husbandman of a vineyard will not let a branch that is not producing stay on the vine, for it can cause damage to the plant. God the true Husbandman will also remove those Christians who fail to produce fruit. Branches on the Vine (Christians) must continue to grow. This can be done by study and meditation on the word of God (Psalm 1:1, 2). Jesus is the True Vine and those who follow Him are the branches.