John 15:1–6

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”

This might be the most egotistical statement in all human history. Jesus is claiming credit for anything any Christian will ever do.

And that’s exactly right—and exactly important. Christians must see themselves as dependent on Christ. No matter what our faith is, no matter what we have done, we have no grounds for bragging.

The analogy Jesus uses here is particularly apt because, not only does the branch draw all its nourishment and strength from the vine, but the branch is also part of the vine. What a beautiful and exciting truth that is. We are part of Christ. Abide in Me, and I in you.

But there’s a tough flip side to this—disconnect from the vine and you’re toast. “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” Also, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away.”

But then He adds, “and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” What an amazing point. Why did He add it? What is this “pruning?” It sounds painful; is it a warning?

We don’t have much to go on here. Yes, pruning sounds painful, but it’s not for a real branch, so that’s not clear. One thing we can be sure of though, pruning means less branch and more fruit.

So, the takeaway is that the Father is going to “prune” us back so that we are less, but we bear more fruit.

Yeah, that’s painful.

Forewarned is forearmed. Christians get pruned.

The analogy isn’t precise enough to give us any details. Pruning doesn’t seem to be some specific kind of trial. The point is just that the Father cultivates our growth, and this can get “complicated” (painfully so).

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. — Romans 8:28

That said, we need to be careful about uttering platitudes to people in pain. When people can barely get through the day, help them with that. Leave teaching doctrine for a calmer time.

These Monday—Friday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. The Saturday DEEPs are written by Matt Richardson. To subscribe to all the DEEPs click here:

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The weekly study guides, which include the Monday–Friday devotionals plus related questions for discussion or meditation, are available for download here:

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.