The Vine

The teacher told his students, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener." The people of that culture understood vines and vineyards very well. A vine gives life to its branches, and without it, the branches cannot survive. The teacher used this picture to teach them something important: just like branches must stay connected to the vine, his students must stay connected to him. The Father, like the gardener, takes care of the vine. He cuts away branches that do not bear fruit and prunes the ones that do, so they can grow stronger and bear even more fruit. Sometimes pruning is painful, but it helps the branches become healthy and full of life. In the same way, God sometimes removes things out of our lives so we can grow closer to Him. The teacher told his students, "You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you." His teachings had prepared them. But he also said, "Apart from me you can do nothing." If a branch is cut off, it withers and dies. But if it stays connected to the vine, it produces fruit. The fruit that the teacher was talking about is not grapes—it is love, kindness, patience, and good works that show we belong to him. He gave them a new commandment: "Love each other as I have loved you." That kind of love is sacrificial. The teacher also warned them that the world would hate them, just as it hated him. But they would not be alone. He promised to send the Holy Spirit, the "Helper", who would guide them, give them courage, and help them teach these words.