Deeper Reflection
Verse 1 is the final “I am” saying of Jesus, where He declared that He was the true vine. In the Old Testament, the vine and vineyard metaphors were often used to represent Israel, which was chosen as a covenant people, planted and tended by God to bear fruit, but failed to do so (e.g. Psa 80:8-19; Isa 5:1-7). In stark contrast, Jesus is the true vine in that He fulfilled God’s purpose for ancient Israel and produces genuine fruit. An important point of Jesus’ teaching is that believers are to live in union with Christ (“Abide in Me, and I in you”, v.4). Otherwise, we will be like unfruitful branches, rendered useless and discarded.There are three interlocking exhortations by our Lord in this text: (1) Abide in Christ (vv.4-7); (2) Abide in Christ’s words¹⁹ (v.7); and (3) Abide in Christ’s love (vv.9-10). Common to abiding in Christ and abiding in His love is obedience to Christ’s words (vv.7, 10). The results of obedience to our Lord’s commandments is the assurance of answered prayers, much fruitfulness, glory to the Father and proof that we are authentic disciples (vv.7-8). Tremendously precious too are the promises that we will dwell in the love of the Son (v.10), possess the fullness of joy (v.11) and be called a friend of our Lord (v.14).Let us be a church family that seeks to follow Christ and become more like Him. Can you imagine what our lives will be like if we faithfully apply the truths that we have gleaned from the Bible? Let us press in for greater fruitfulness in the days ahead!

¹⁹ And the corollary will be true: Christ’s words abide in us.