“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 does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
Comment: Chapter 14 ends with ‘Rise, let us go from here’, chapter 18 begins ‘When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron’. Chapters 15-17 are full of Jesus teaching with only about 8 lines for comment or questions. Where was this time spent? It reads as if Jesus took the last moments of time with them, His disciples, alone, before His trial and death, to hone in on basic principles of being His followers. It was probably a summary and expansion of some things which He had previously shared with them. In these verses He describes Himself as represented by a vine. He is the whole; grafted into Him are His followers as the branches; God the Father is the orchardist or vinedresser. The branches are expected to produce fruit or if they are ‘dead’ (?not real believers) the branches will be pruned. Remember pruning of a vine is pretty radical. I put for your consideration that fruit here is character. Remember the verse about the fruit of the Spirit is love etc (Galatians 5:22).
Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, that You are honest with us but very gracious!
As I read it! 