The Father’s Garden

John 15:1-3

1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 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. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.

Notes

The Lord Jesus prepared His disciples through instructions and promises. He admonished them not to be troubled and promised to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house. Jesus explained that the way to the Father is through Him and that He who has seen Him has seen the Father. The Lord also promised the coming of the Holy Spirit, who would teach and remind them of His words. He promised that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit would dwell in all who love and obey Him.

1. The True Vine & the Father

   The Lord Jesus is the true vine; no one can bear fruit without Him. He said, “I am the true vine,” which is the last of the “I Am” recorded by the author. The Father is the vinedresser or the gardener, which shows that one of the Father's roles is to nurture the health of the branches.

   
   1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser (John 15:1).

   Application: We should remain connected to the true vine, the Lord Jesus Christ. We should always commune with Him through the Holy Scriptures and prayer. Let us also trust that the Father is actively at work as the vinedresser, which means the Father is actively at work in our lives.

   
   

2. Removing & Pruning

   The Father is the gardener who removes unfruitful branches believed to be wild vines, a form of weed, but not true vines. He cleans the vine by removing such fake vines. However, the Father prunes the branches genuinely connected to the vine.

   
   2 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 (John 15:2).

   Application: How does the Father prune genuine believers? Through the Holy Scriptures, as we meditate on it, He removes our sinful habits through repentance. He also removes things we prioritize more than His Son. Sometimes, pruning can be an excruciating process. Pruning can take the form of trials and tribulations. We must understand and acknowledge that He is behind our humbling.
   

3. Pronounced Clean

   The Lord Jesus declared that the disciples were clean because of His word. He also proclaimed them clean after washing their feet; He said they were clean except one of you, which was Judas (John 13:10). In another sense, by saying they were clean, it meant that they were not removed.

   
   3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you (John 15:3).

   Application: We should believe in Christ's words, which include His claims: He is God, Son of God, Son of Man, Sovereign Lord, and the Messiah. We believe that faith in His suffering, death, and resurrection saves and sanctifies us. Then, we must proclaim His message of salvation to others.

Reflection & Discussion

1. According to the text, what is the role of the Father? Explain.

2. What does the Father remove, and what does He prune? Explain.

3. What made the disciples clean? Explain.