John 15

1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

The reference to the vine is found in Isaiah 5A. As per His promise, the Lord (my wellbeloved) heard the cries of the Israelites (the descendants of Jacob) enslaved in Egypt, and sent Moses to deliver them to Canaan, the Promised Land flowing with milk and honey (a very fruitful hill). He took good care of them (the choicest vine) and hoped that they would be devoted to the Lord, observing His commandments and being truly worthy of being called as the ‘God’s people’. Unfortunately, they repeatedly disobeyed Him (and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes; when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?), and thus it was evident that Israel was not the true vine, for a true vine would not bring forth wild grapes.

When this happened, Jesus was sent as the true vine- the one intended by God to bring forth a multitude of people, devoted to the Lord. The Lord God is the husbandman/the gardener/the caretaker/the farmer/vineyard manager/viticulturist- the one who personally manages the vine. For understanding a deeper meaning, we must visit a vineyard, and spend a day (or possibly, even a season) observing the farming practices.

In this scenario, God’s responsibilities are manifold. He has to choose the right geographical location, the geological terrain and weather of which favours wine cultivation. In fact, these factors also exert immense influence on the quality of the wine. He also has to personally take care of the vines, providing the delicate climbers with support, sufficient irrigation and fertilisers. Vines are even covered during adverse weather conditions.

It is hardly useful if the branches becomes luxuriant, since the aim is to produce edible grapes (preferably sweet) which will be used for eating or for wine-making. Thus, the husbandman meticulously prunes the vines, so that more vigorous sprouts (branches) will develop from the leaf’s axil, resulting in plentiful bunches of grapes. Vegetative branches (with no fruits) are removed, and care is taken to ensure that the lowest leaf is considerably above the soil. The leaves are also regularly checked to remove grubs, fungi, and other pests. A negligent gardener implies an unfruitful vineyard.

We can evaluate this profound verse in many other ways:

i. Jesus as the vine, God as the husbandman.

God has worked hard to plant Jesus in this world. Throughout 2 millennia, his works, teachings and constant presence (under the guidance of Lord God) has ensured that the vine (the part of the climber which is rooted to the soil) is still growing. Of course, this has been through painful pruning, but the end result is the sweet grapes: the many saved and the flourishing churches.

ii. The Church as the vine, Jesus as the husbandman

Since Jesus’ ascension, the Church has grown and expanded steadily from that little country of Israel. Jesus has/is working hard as a gardener, by irrigating the vine and providing it with the necessary nutrients (in the form of His Word). The sturdy vine has endured many hardships and persecutions (adverse weather and pests), resulting in the removal of affected branches and leaves (martyrdom), and there has been periods of growth and lag. The Church has been pruned, only to sprout more vigorously, and the vine is still growing.

iii. A Christian as the vine, Jesus as the husbandman

How fortunate is that Christian who is tended by Jesus himself! He is not like the wild trees which aren’t looked after by him, but has been carefully planted by Jesus into a place which provides him with the optimum conditions and nutrients (the Word). As a vine tended by God Himself, we are not free from the worldly persecutions and temptations in the form of pests and adverse weathers. Sometimes God might provide us with a protective covering, but often we will have to face the storm (or the drought) and survive. But it is the aim of Jesus that we should bear fruits, and so we have to suffer the painful process of pruning. Often we might find it hard to understand why God should clip our luxuriant vegetative branch with green foliage. But it is only the pruning of leafy branches which will enable the development of vigorous sprouts, and the subsequent abundant harvest of grapes.

2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

The verse continues the allusion with viticulture. Any branch which does not bear fruit, in due time, is removed by God (for it has no use). And even fruit bearing branches are pruned so that it will bring forth more fruit. Thus, God intends that a Christian/a Church should not flourish for itself, but to bear more fruits for others.

3Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

The Word of Jesus has purified and cleansed the disciples. (cf. John 13: 10-11^b)

4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Since Jesus is the Vine, it is imperative that the branches (the disciples, the Church, and us- as specified by Jesus in v. 5) cannot exist by themselves, let alone bear fruit, but only by abiding as part of the main Vine. Thus, we must abide in Jesus, and him in us (cf. John 14). One cannot survive, or bear fruit, or do anything (‘do nothing’) without being part of Jesus.

6If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

If a man/Church does not abide in Jesus (i.e. sins or disobeys Jesus’ commandments), he is removed from the vine (either by God the husbandman, or by Jesus the True Vine, since the fellowship/spiritual union, between God&Jesus/the branch, is broken). Since a branch cannot exist without being part of the vine, the expunged branch withers up, and is burnt (hell/spiritual death) by men.

7If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Jesus promises that if one asks for anything, it will be done unto them. However, there is a clause: it is only if the branch abides in Jesus, and if the branch is dictated by the Word.

8Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

The gardener gets the credit when the branches in the Vine bears much fruit. Similarly, God is glorified by the fruits which are borne by the branches, and the fruit-bearing branches will be named as Jesus’ disciples/followers.

9As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

Jesus has continually, unselfishly, and sacrificingly loved us just like God has loved him.

10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

Just like Jesus who has kept God’s commandments and abides in His love, we will continue in Jesus’ love, if we observe his commandments (which are from God).

11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Jesus is advising them/us so that his peace (joy) will remain in us, and that it will be intense.

12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

17These things I command you, that ye love one another.

Jesus repeats (cf. John 13. 34^c) and commands them/us to love each other, just as he has loved us (i.e. sacrificial, unselfish, persistent, and faithful). Following this commandment will encompass all the Ten Commandments.

13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

The greatest love is the sacrificial love: the one in which a man lays down his own life (terminates a fruitful life) for his friends (not for family!!!).

14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

We/the disciples are Jesus’ friends if we do whatever he commands us to do.

This also indicates the connection with the previous verse. Since Jesus is our friend, he loves us so much that he sacrificed his life for us. Similarly, he expects us to sacrifice our life for him.

15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Jesus elevates us/the disciples from the rank of a servant to that of a friend.

A servant has no freedom, and has no option but to serve the master. He also keeps to the servants’ quarters and is unaware of the master’s activities. However, a friend of the master shares the same table, is a confidant, can enter his house, and can speak to him as an equal, without any reserve. This is the privilege which Jesus gives to his disciples, to whom he has imparted everything which the Father has told him.

16Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

It wasn’t the disciples/us who chose to follow Jesus, but it was he himself who chose us, and who has commissioned us, so that we will ‘go and bring forth fruit’ as Christians. The responsibilities given to each Christian are different- but it is imperative that the good fruit is characterised by its permanence. And whatsoever we ask from God, in Jesus’ name, may be given to us by Him.

18If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

23He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

The world is inherently evil, hating all that is good, because good deeds throw light upon the bad deeds. As a follower of Christ, following the commandments of truth, love, and peace, it is expected that the rest of the evil world will despise and hate us. But if/when this happens, we must remember that the world hated Jesus before it hated us. Whoever hates Jesus, hates God.

‘World’ can also imply devil/the master of the world.

19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

The world (people/devil) loves those who are characteristic of the human race with all of its inherent vices. Such people will not stand out amongst the nondescript populace of evil-doers, and have refused salvation through Christ. But the world hates us since Jesus has chosen us from this very world, to renounce our evil past and to walk with him. Thus, the world hates those who have escaped from the worldly bondages, and who are likely to incite other slaves to escape too.

20Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Jesus refers to John 13, v. 16^d.

The world which will persecute Jesus, will also persecute the disciples/us. And if they follow the sayings of Jesus, they will also follow our sayings.

21But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

Because of our association with Jesus (since we are known as Jesus’ followers), the world is enthusiastic about persecuting or hating us. They do not know the God who has sent Jesus to minister.

22If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.

24If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

How does one distinguish ‘sin’? How does one know that stealing or murdering is a sin? It is only when it is lucidly communicated to them that one realises the virtue (or none) of their acts. There have been just too many people in this world who hadn’t comprehended that they were leading a sinful life until they came to hear the word. Hadn’t Jesus not entered the world and communicated the teachings, people would not have known what is construed as ‘sin’. But now that they have heard (or read) his teachings (and are continually witnessing His works), they have no excuse for sinning, and thus will have to pay the full penalty. For by hating Jesus, they hate the Father too.

25But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

All this has happened to fulfill the Old Testament prophecy that the world hated Jesus for no reason.

26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

The Holy Spirit (the Comforter, the Spirit of truth), sent by Jesus from the Father, will instruct us about the Father and the Son.

27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

And the disciples will bear witness, because they have been with Jesus from the very beginning of his ministry.

References:

^a

^{. A}Isaiah 5

1Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:

2And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.

3And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.

4What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?

5And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:

6And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.

7For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

^bJohn 13: 10-11

010: Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

011: For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

^C John 13: 34

034: A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

^DJohn 13:16

016: Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.