The Visit of the Wise Men
John 15:1-27 (3 of 3)

I Am the True Vine
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. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants,a for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another. The Hatred of the World 18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin,b but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’ 26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.

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Day	List 1	List 2	List 3
S	Matthew 22:37	Deuteronomy 6:5	1 John 4:21
M	Mark 12:30	Joshua 22:5	1 John 5:3
T	Luke 10:27	Deuteronomy 10:12	Romans 8:28
W	John 14:15	Psalm 31:23	1 Corinthians 8:3
T	1 John 4:19	Exodus 20:6	James 1:12
F	Deuteronomy 11:1	Psalm 116:1	1 Peter 1:8
S	Joshua 23:11	Proverbs 8:17	Jude 1:21

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Above: Some parallel verses linked to John 15:1-27

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“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

John 15:5-8 (ESV)

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Spiritual Significance of John 15:5-8

John 15:5-8 emphasizes the intimate relationship between Jesus and His followers, symbolized by the vine and branches. Jesus declares that apart from Him, we can do nothing, underscoring our dependence on Him for spiritual growth and fruitfulness. Abiding in Him allows believers to bear lasting fruit, fulfilling God’s purpose. The passage highlights the importance of obedience to Jesus’ commands as an expression of love and devotion. By staying connected to the true vine, we experience God's glory, reflect His nature, and engage in prayer that aligns with His will, furthering His Kingdom on earth.

Historical Significance of John 15:5-8

John 15:5-8 was spoken by Jesus during the Last Supper, just before His arrest, marking a pivotal moment in His teachings to the disciples. This passage highlights the shift from the Old Covenant, with its focus on rituals and sacrifices, to the New Covenant, where a personal, intimate relationship with Christ becomes the means of spiritual fruitfulness. Jesus, as the true vine, aligns with Old Testament imagery of Israel as God’s vine (Isaiah 5:1-7), symbolizing the fulfillment of God's plan through Christ. The passage reassures believers of their role in God’s redemptive mission.

Literary Significance of Philippians 2:12-13

John 15:5-8 uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to convey deep theological truths. The literary imagery is rich and layered, drawing from Israel's historical symbolism of the vine. Jesus' use of "abide" stresses the need for ongoing, consistent relationship and communion with Him. The passage contrasts spiritual vitality and barrenness, showing the consequences of remaining in Christ versus separation from Him. This connection between language, imagery, and theme reinforces the importance of obedience, love, and prayer, illustrating how the written word communicates divine truth and encourages spiritual perseverance and faithfulness.

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#	Theme Summary	Parallel Scripture
1	Abiding in Christ ensures spiritual fruitfulness	John 15:4, John 15:10, 1 John 2:6
2	The believer's dependence on Christ for strength	Philippians 4:13, Colossians 1:11, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
3	Jesus as the true vine	Isaiah 5:1-7, Ezekiel 17:22-24, Hosea 10:1
4	The importance of obedience to Jesus’ commands	John 14:15, 1 John 5:3, Matthew 7:21
5	The Father prunes to promote growth	Hebrews 12:11, Revelation 3:19, 1 Peter 1:7
6	The relationship between the Father, Son, and believer	John 17:21, John 10:30, 1 John 4:15
7	Prayer as a means of connection to God	Matthew 7:7-8, John 16:23-24, James 4:3
8	Fruitfulness as evidence of true discipleship	Galatians 5:22-23, Matthew 7:16-20, Colossians 1:10
9	Bearing fruit brings glory to God	Matthew 5:16, Philippians 1:11, 2 Corinthians 9:13
10	God's love as the basis of our obedience	John 14:21, John 15:13, Romans 5:8
11	The necessity of remaining in Christ to thrive	Colossians 2:6-7, 1 John 2:24-27, Romans 11:22
12	The Father’s desire for His disciples to bear fruit	Matthew 21:43, Luke 13:6-9, Mark 4:8
13	Jesus' teachings as life-giving and transformative	John 6:63, Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3
14	Disciples’ relationship to Jesus as branches	Romans 11:17-24, Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Peter 2:4-10
15	The impact of remaining in Christ on answered prayer	1 John 5:14-15, Matthew 7:7-8, Mark 11:24

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Prayer based on John 15:5-8

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, the true vine, through whom we find our life and purpose. Lord, we acknowledge that apart from Him, we can do nothing. Help us to abide in Him daily, that we may bear good fruit for Your Kingdom. Strengthen our hearts to remain connected to You, through obedience and prayer, so that our lives may reflect Your glory. Prune us, Lord, where necessary, that we may grow in faith and love. We trust in Your perfect plan for us and ask that our prayers align with Your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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How does one "remain" in Jesus? (Colossians 2:6-7)
What does it mean to bear "much fruit"? (Galatians 5:22-23)
Can a branch truly survive apart from the vine? (1 Corinthians 12:27)
How does pruning relate to spiritual growth? (Hebrews 12:5-11)
What is the significance of Jesus calling himself the "true vine"? (Isaiah 5:1-7)
How does asking for what we desire align with God's will? (1 John 5:14-15)
What does it mean to glorify the Father through our lives? (Matthew 5:16)

Remember

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Never forget

“ If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Amen
“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”