15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener"
As we begin studying John 15, there are some basic things to understand. We are looking at a word picture of what happens in a garden. There is some given in this first verse. There is a vine and there is a gardener. We'll learn more about their activity later but for now we see these key characters. We will take one at a time.
Jesus is speaking. He says that he is the true vine. Ok, Jesus is the vine. Got it! But what does he mean, the true vine? Well, there is only one true vine. There may be other vines but he is the true one. There is only one. This is in line with other claims of Christ. He is bread of life. He is the way, the truth and the life. In all of the claims of Christ, they are singular. It is an exclusive role for Jesus. He does not share it with any other. He is the true vine.
The other character in this verse is the Father. It is Jesus' Father. That is the God of the universe. Jesus states that His Father is the Gardner. The Gardner oversees all the plants of the garden. He tends the garden. He makes decisions on how to care for each living thing. Sometimes he prunes a little and other times he prunes a lot. It is the gardner's decision how the creation should be cared for. He does what is best for each living thing in the garden.
As we move forward in John 15, keep in mind the role of Jesus as the true vine and God, the Father, as the gardener.
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