In the first article we considered how we all want our lives to flourish. We seek out changes and set priorities in order to find life. We opened up John 15 by seeing that connection to Jesus, the true vine, is the only way to find lasting life. We continue this week with two more reasons why we should prioritize communion with Jesus over everything else in our lives.
Reason #2 – We must be pruned to bear fruit v. 2-3
“Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.” – John 15:2-3
In verses 2-3, Jesus delves deeper into the analogy of the vine, explaining the role of pruning in the life of every branch connected to Him. The very purpose of a vine is to bear fruit, but it must undergo pruning for this to happen. Pruning involves regular and deep cutting away of all that is unfruitful, removing anything that is hindering life and fruitfulness, allowing genuine fruit to flourish.
The Word of Christ
Verses 2 and 3 can seem to address different things, with verse 2 discussing pruning and verse 3 mentioning being “clean”. However, These are the exact same words, just in verb form and adjective form. It is like the difference between saying, “I clean you.” And then saying, “You are clean.” When the translation doesn’t bring this out we miss the fact that the Father’s pruning and Jesus’ words are inseparably linked. In essence, the Father brings forth fruit in our lives by pruning us, and the tool He uses is the word of Christ.
So we should expect His word to cut like a knife—to make radical incisions and serious revisions—leading us to repentance. Could we, for the sake of our own joy, willingly embrace a life of regular repentance as we encounter the cutting words of Christ? What would it look like to view repentance like pruning—not as begrudging, frustrating, or annoying, but as a cutting away of that which is getting in the way of life, fruit, and joy? Pruning is against our nature, but it’s the only way for healthy life to grow. And this means we must prioritize communion with Christ. Without His words, we won’t bear fruit.
Now, let’s explore the third reason to prioritize communion with Christ.
#3 – Apart from Him We Can Do Nothing
“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. 5 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.” – John 15:4-5
In verses 4-5, the heart of this passage is revealed. This section emphasizes fruitfulness and addresses the relevance of Jesus in our lives today.
Jesus instructs His disciples to abide in Him and He in them, likening them to branches connected to a vine. This is a call to make their home in Him, to live, stay, remain, and reside in Him. It’s a promise that if we unite with Christ by faith, making our home in Him, He will reside in us. This is not a one-time decision but a daily commitment to commune with Christ.
No(t-one-)thing
The analogy of a vine becomes paramount here. A branch disconnected from the vine withers, dies, and becomes incapable of bearing fruit. A few times a year I buy my wife flowers, and guess what? Sure enough, it doesn’t matter if you keep them in water and follow the instructions with the little food packets–the second those flowers were cut from the vine, they were handed a death sentence.
A living communion with Christ is the decisive factor for fruitfulness. Self-sufficiency leads to death, while dependency on Christ is life. Jesus starkly states that apart from Him, we can do nothing. The options are clear: either Jesus abides in us, doing everything, or Jesus is apart from us, rendering us useless. This is how Jesus, who lived 2000 years ago, becomes relevant to our lives right now: without Him we can do nothing.
Communion with Jesus is vital!
Next week we will move forward with John 15.
