John 15:1-11

The Vine and the Branches

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Pondering Point

Read (or listen to) the story from John 15:1-11. While concluding His training of the disciples on the evening before He dies, Jesus gives His disciples an analogy to help grasp some nuances of their relationship moving forward. This is our story for two weeks in a row. Take some time to dig into it and see what kind of fruit it bears.

Prayer for the Day

Father God, Gardener of the souls of all mankind – my Gardener: Thank You for connecting me to Your Son Jesus the Vine, and for cleansing my soul through His sacrificial death and resurrection. Let me benefit from the message of this story; make it root deeply into my heart. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.