Traditional Catholic Teaching - Lesson 14

Lesson 14 - Supplement B

Life In The True Vine.

John 15: 1 - 8

Introduction

An Overview of the Setting

Back to Chapter 14: Jesus Remaining In the Disciples

In Chapter 14, we notice there is no confrontation and challenge. Jesus is addressing only his disciples and thus the Christian readers of the Gospels. All that he says has to be interpreted by the events that are soon to follow. He has promised the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, who will be the confirmed divine presence to help them continue the mission of Jesus. He will remain with them and within them. He will teach them everything and make them remember everything Jesus taught.

On to Chapter 15: The Disciples remaining in Jesus

In Chapter 15, Jesus shifts the emphasis to the disciples' abiding in him, by means of faith in him and obedience to his word. The first eight verses record Jesus' teaching about the vine and the branches and his comparison with the union between him and each disciple.

The Value Jesus Places On A Personal Relationship

In the first eight verses of John 15, Jesus is concerned with emphasising the importance of an individual, personal relationship of each disciple with him as the source of their life. He is not so much concerned here with the collective relationship of disciples as his Church. That is covered elsewhere.

Some Notes On The Text

Verse 1

I am the true vine, and it is my Father who tends it.

Jesus begins his discourse identifying himself as the “true vine” and his Father as the caring gardener. The word "true" has important links with the scriptures. In the Greek Old Testament (which St. John would have used) Israel is called the "true vine" (Jeremiah 2: 21). St John uses the same adjective in recording Jesus’ statement. Some commentators are quick to declare that Jesus is distinguishing himself from faithless Israel. But Jesus is in fact emphasising that he is the reality of which the Vine of Israel is but the type (forerunner). In light of this it is worth reflecting on Isaiah 5: 1 – 7; Ezekiel 15: 1 – 6 and 19: 10 – 14. Why a vine? The vine is of no real use except for bearing fruit. It is fit for either producing grapes or for fuel!

Verse 2

The branch that yields no fruit in me, he cuts away; the branch that does yield fruit, he trims clean, so that it may yield more fruit.

The vine is constantly watched by the caring gardener who cuts away branches which do not bear fruit. He does this for the sake of those that do bear fruit, to strengthen them and help them to be more fruitful. Jesus is stating in no uncertain terms, the displeasure of the Father towards faithless followers. Note that it is the Father who does the trimming and even the fruit bearing branches have to take a trim. Some of the branches cut off may have borne fruit previously but that does not save them.

Verse 3

You through the message I have preached to you, are clean already; you have only to live on in me, and I will live on in you.

Then comes a very brief statement to the disciples in Verse 3, "You have already been trimmed and cleaned up through the power of my word". What word? None in particular. All that Jesus has taught about Israel's history and prophetic insight has taken root in them. They have welcomed his word, which has become part of them.

Verse 4

The branch that does not live on in the vine can yield no fruit of itself; no more can you, if you do not live on in me.

And so he can say to them "Remain in me and I in you". This does not mean "If you remain or abide in me then I will remain in you". It is a double imperative. "See that you remain in me and see that I remain in you." The branch can receive no sap from the vine unless there is constant and unimpeded contact between them. The supreme condition of fruitfulness, is abiding (remaining) in Jesus; as the branches draw sap from the vine, so believers must derive their strength, wisdom, holiness and power from their Lord. The message is clear, they must continue closely united to him and continually receive from him the power to do good (i.e. bear fruit). But how? Jesus has already hinted that obedience to his word kept alive in them, will keep them faithful.

Verse 5

I am the vine; you are its branches; if a man lives on in me, and I in him, then he will yield abundant fruit; separated from me, you have no power to do anything.

Again he says, "I am the vine", but adds the reassuring phrase "you are the branches". The early Church, looking back realised that the presence of a traitor was not allowed to weaken the rest. At a certain moment he was removed so that the other branches could grow even stronger. So the "true vine" is sending out new branches. You are those branches Jesus says. This is a very special moment to ponder. But what is the fruit Jesus is talking about? The fruit of the beatitudes: humility, true sorrow, meekness, striving for purity of heart, enduring persecution and injustice for his sake.

Verse 6

If a man does not live on in me, he can only be like the branch that is cast off and withers away; such a branch is picked up and thrown into the fire, to burn there.

And now another warning: abide or depart! We do not need to push the allegory too far and treat the fire as a symbol. Jesus is striving to show how strongly his Father disapproves of branches which soak up the living sap and grow fat on it without giving fruit in return. There is absolutely no place for them!

Verses 7 and 8

As long as you live on in me, and my words live on in you, you will be able to make what request you will, and have it granted.

My Father's name has been glorified, if you yield abundant fruit, and prove yourselves my disciples.

Verses seven and eight bring this little section to a conclusion. Jesus explains: "True union with the true vine is characterised by true submission to all I have taught you. This will always lead to fruitfulness and it is by this fruit that you will be known as my disciples, and thus give glory to God".

Conclusion

Abiding in the Word

The first eight Verses of John 15 offer us a unique insight into Jesus' teaching on prayer and meditation. For nowhere else does he so adamantly point out the need for us to remain in him by keeping his word always within and before us, nurturing it, treasuring it, constantly listening for every new intimation the Holy Spirit brings to life within us. We do this by meditating on his Gospel teaching, recalling it frequently and trying to translate it into action, into good works of Christian obedience and love.

End of Lesson 14 Supplement B

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