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The Gospel of John, The Period of Conference, Conference With the Disciples, Part XXX, John 15:1 - Lesson 138
Read John 15:1: for review: I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Jesus Christ continues his discourse to his 11 apostles.
He is not talking to unbelievers.
Judas the unbeliever has left.
So only believers remain.
It is very important to remember that Christ is talking to believers.
What he is talking about applies to believers and not unbelievers.
Without this understanding much error will occur in understanding this passage.
In chapters 13 and 14 Christ told his disciples what he would be doing for them and all believers while he is away.
But in this chapter, he instructs his own in what they are to do for him while he is away.
In chapter 15 he tells his own that they are to bear fruit.
As he said in John 12:24 ..... Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Jesus Christ expects much fruit on the vine because he is the vine and his Father is the husbandman.
This is a picture of a Father that is personally involved in the fruit bearing of the vine.
The husbandman tends the vine with loving care.
He intends for the vine to be as fruitful as possible and will do every thing to see that that comes about.
Every growth on the vine is noticed.
Every bud is encouraged.
Watering takes place at the right time.
The vine is trained to grow in a certain way to get the necessary sunlight.
The husbandman observes each branch of the vine and each branch of the vine is individually tended.
The husbandman has a fruit bearing plan for each branch.
The pruning knife is part of his plan.
Urging is part of his plan.
Whatever it takes the husbandman intends for each branch to bear fruit.
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