The Lord Jesus talked to the disciples about a vine. This may have been on their way to the garden where they were going. There seem to have been vineyards always in that land, and He explained things which they did not know by things they could see or know.
Jesus said to the men who believed in Him, “I am the true vine,” and He said they were “the branches.”
Strength to Bear Fruit
If you live where grape vines are grown, you know the main stalk of a vine which comes out of the ground is very strong, like a tree. If a branch is cut from the vine, the branch can grow no fruit, and withers and dries.
The Lord said, “As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.” The main vine gives strength to the branches. Jesus wanted those men to remember that strength for them to do what would please God, as “fruit,” must be from Him. They were not to trust in the nation, Israel, or in themselves, but in Him.
He would be gone from them, but they were still to depend on Him, and to “abide” in His words (v.7). That meant to keep, or obey, His words.
A man who takes care of grape vines early in their growth cuts away much from them, so the strength will not go to vines and leaves. It is fruit he wants.
The Fruit
The Lord Jesus spoke of God the Father as “a husbandman,” or caretaker. He is wise to know how best to correct His people that they may have “fruit” to please Him.
The “fruit” named here if they kept His words would be, “to love one another.” He said to them twice here “that ye love one another” (John 15:12,1712This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. (John 15:12)
17These things I command you, that ye love one another. (John 15:17)). They were to love those who believed in the Lord Jesus, because He loved them. That would be the first “fruit” for God to see and enjoy, and something all can do, if they keep Christ’s words.
The Branch Cut off
Some have supposed a “branch” cut, meant that one who believed the Lord Jesus Christ could be cut off from heaven, but the Lord had just told those men the way to heaven. It was not by “fruit,’’ or some good work, but by Him. He had also said He gave eternal life to all who believed Him, and eternal life could not end, or be “cut off.” And He said those who believed Him could not “perish’’ (John 3:15-16; 10:2815That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:15‑16)
28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28)).
The meaning of the Lord must have been plain to those men. They were to depend on Him and obey His word while they were left on earth, for that would be like “fruit” for God to enjoy.
Further Meditation:
1. Why were the branches “cut off”?
3. Beautiful Grace: Meditations on the Epistle to the Galatians by G. C. Willis does a nice job of presenting the subject of the fruit of the Spirit. To meditate further on the fruit produced by “abiding” in the vine you might find this resource to be a real encouragement.