John 15
The ancient Jewish culture was an agrarian one. For this reason, the scripture uses agricultural imagery that analogizes the spiritual life. One such image is that of a vineyard. John 15: 1-8 is a famous passage using this image. The vine is the primary root that nourishes every branch. As long as a branch remains connected to the vine, it stays green. If a branch should die , the vinedresser prunes and cuts it off to maintain the health of the others. Spiritually it’s a picture of a believer being rooted in Christ the Son and subject to pruning by God the Father:
“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 it so 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, so 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, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples”
