Vinedresser
The Gospel of John is unique. He presents the eternality of Jesus as the Son of God and the King of the Jews. John was the closest friend Jesus had on this earth. He brings forth the heart of Jesus with such compassion and comforting words of care and security.
Jesus brought forth a teaching in chapter 2.
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (John 15)
“Every
branch in Me that does not bear fruit he takes away”
To
me this conjurers up the idea of a child laborer in an 18th century
workhouse that doesn't meet quota. If he doesn't produce
enough...back OUT into the street. Jesus might mean that. He did not
shrink away from the truth. He did not care what people thought of
anything He said. But this idea does not seem to fit with the rest of
the Scriptures.
Does
the Father rip us out of our place if we cannot produce enough? I
don't think so. The word that is used in verse 2 is Airo
(αἴρω)
in Greek. This
word is used 106 times
in
the New Testament. It
means "to lift up", "to take up," or "to
remove." The context in which it is used can determine whether
it conveys a positive
action,
like lifting, or a negative
one,
like removing.
In Genesis 40 we have the account of Joseph in prison in Egypt. While there Joseph interprets the dreams of 2 royal court officials. In verse 13 the first official is given the interpretation that Pharaoh will “lift up thine head” (Gen 40:13, KJV). The second official is told that Pharaoh will “lift up thy head” (v 19 KJV). The same thing is said to each of them but Joseph meant that the first will be restored and the second official will be hanged. It makes a very great difference if you are restored to a former position or hanged!
I realize that this is in a different language (Hebrew). The translation committee either inserted this choice of words or they let earlier English translations stand. In either case, the English reasoning seems to be similar as John's use of the Greek word airo.
The word John used in this account in chapter 15 could be either positive or negative. Jesus could mean that He will remove those worthless Christians that don't put out the minimum results – whatever that means. Or John 15:2 could use the same original word and have a different sense entirely.
The
original word Jesus used CAN mean that God, as a good farmer LIFTS UP
a branch that is sagging or growing in a wrong direction. IF He means
that, we see God as good and helping, not as a harsh taskmaster who
doesn't see enough being produced.
I
am an amateur grape farmer. That means I have 10 grape plants in my
yard. I am constantly tying up sagging grape branches. Because I hate
them? No, it is so they can grow more normally. Sometimes I see a
grape branch growing out in a direction that will not result in
producing fruit. I have to gently bend it to redirect it and tie it
up to the trellis. This may make the plant look odd for a time but
eventually the wayward branch adapts to the new direction and grows
normally.
Is
the farmer angry at distressed branches and yells curses at them as
he rips them off the vine? Or is the good farmer tending and caring
for the vineyard, doing everything He can to help each branch produce
to its full potential?
The
devil is always ready to accuse God to you as unkind and accuse you
as failing.
There is a philosophy that states that everything negative is not from God. Or everything I don't like is not from God. Jesus did not hesitate to state the truth even if it was unpopular. In this same John 15 Vine Teaching Jesus spoke about something serious.
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:6)
If anyone is not in Christ, he is like a severed branch laying on the ground. He does not have Life, he will dry out, and he will be cast into the fire and burned. There is no good news for those who reject the Good News of Christ. However, for those who have a change of mind (repent) and turn to Him, He will forgive and make you a fruitful branch.
June 7, 2026