I AM THE VINE, YOU ARE THE BRANCHES

 

John 15

The Vine and the Branches

15 “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. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit - fruit that will last - and so that whatever you ask in My Name the Father will give you. 17 This is My command: Love each other.

The True Vine

O Jesus, Lord, the Living Vine,
Whose grace and love through branches shine;
Apart from You our strength must cease,
Our hearts know neither joy nor peace.

No branch can bloom by will alone,
Nor bear the fruit that heaven has known;
Your living sap, so rich and free,
Flows through the soul that trusts in Thee.

By faith we're grafted to Your Side,
In You we live, in You abide;
Your Spirit fills each willing heart,
And gives us grace to do our part.

Then clusters fair begin to grow,
As heaven's living blessings flow;
Like ripened grapes on autumn's vine,
They speak of love and life Divine.

Their sweetness feeds the faint with cheer,
Brings hope to hearts weighed down by fear;
They strengthen all who taste Your grace,
And draw the lost to seek Your Face.

So prune us, Lord, with loving hand,
To flourish by Your wise command;
Though pruning brings a passing pain,
It yields a richer, sweeter gain.

Until that glorious final day,
When earth and shadow fade away;
We'll hear the words our hearts have sought:
"My friends, well done - you lacked for naught."

No richer gift could we receive,
No greater joy could hearts conceive -
Than Christ to call us, face to Face,
His friends for all eternal days.

Images by CN Whittle