Why this word…? 🤔

You know how much I love looking CLOSELY at single sentences in the Bible. And today we’re focusing on a very well-known verse from John 15. Here it is:

“I am the true vine.” (John 15:1, NIV) https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JHN.15.1-8.NIV

Why does Jesus use the word “true” here? That must mean there are also false, fake, or useless vines, right?

And that’s exactly the case!

In the Old Testament, the people of Israel are often described as a vineyard or a vine (see Psalm 80:8 NIV).https://www.bible.com/bible/116/PSA.80.8.NLT That means Israel was called to show the world true fruit in God’s sense—even though they often missed that calling.

So when Jesus says, “I am the true vine,” He’s really saying, “I am the only true and living connection between God and people. Only in me will you bear fruit.”

He is the true vine—the one who actually brings life.

And let’s not think, “Oh Israel, you really messed it up,” 😉 because the truth is, we mess it up too. We also have “vines” we hold on to in our own lives: success, self-fulfillment, beauty products, extreme fitness, money, traditions, religious works—the list goes on. But after declaring He is the vine, Jesus continues:

“If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, NIV) https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JHN.15.5

Only—and I mean ONLY—in a living relationship with Jesus will the kind of life God desires for you and me actually grow. All our other vines, EVERYTHING ELSE, may look nice, but they will never give us real life.

Let's pause for a moment today and ask: “Am I holding onto a vine that isn’t really the true vine? Am I missing the fruit in my life? Do I feel stuck?”

If so, come back. Come back to Jesus and experience how quickly true fruit will begin to grow in your life—real life!

You are a miracle!