15:1
This is the last of the “I am” sayings, it is also significant that it includes the Father as well. The Father and the Son are working together. Jesus is the true vine. The vine or vineyard is used of Israel in the Old Testament, most relevant is perhaps chapter 5 of Isaiah, while Psalm 80 is also highly relevant.. Israel failed as the vine. Jesus is the true vine. He lived a life of perfect love, faith and obedience to the Father. But it is not just about Jesus, the Father is the vinedresser. He takes care of the vine.
15:2
The Father’s prime role, as described here, is taking away branches that do not bear fruit, and pruning those that do. The Father is actively looking after the vine. Fruitfulness is seen as a key indicator of whether someone is truly part of the true vine. We look at this taking away in two ways. One is to view it as a Father disciplining a son, as in Heb 12:4-11; the other is in God executing judgement on individuals or parts of the church that are not truly believing in Christ, i.e. in a much more severe sense. Both are relevant. If we are true believers we still require discipline from the Lord, but there are also severe warnings for those that fall away. We do far better to take the severe warnings seriously, rather than trying to argue them away!
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