Jesus’ complete Parable of the Vineyard may be found in The Gospel According to John, 15:1-8. In the parable, Jesus says he is the true vine and his father is the vine dresser, the person who takes care of the vineyard. Barren branches are lifted up so they can produce fruit and productive branches are pruned back so they will produce even more.
Jesus says the branches on his vine are clean but they must stay connected to the vine or they will not be able to bear fruit. A branch that is not connected to the vine dies for lack of nourishment and dead branches will be thrown into a fire. But, a branch that is growing and producing fruit will be given what it needs to grow and produce more fruit. Such a branch brings glory to Jesus’ Father.
Some people may think that a vine is a climbing plant with a long stem on which leaves and flowers and fruit or vegetables grow. However on grape vines, the thick, woody base of the plant is called the vine. The long stems are called branches.
Biblical teacher and award-winning author, Dr. Bruce Wilkinson, delves deeply into the meanings behind this parable in his book, Secrets of the Vine. He says that fruit is often interpreted to mean the evangelizing and winning of converts to Christianity but after much study, Wilkinson has come to a new realization. He writes that fruit may be any good result that occurs because of a believer’s efforts. Caring for a sick person, providing for the physical or emotional needs of others, or telling someone how to become a believer; any of these may be considered fruit. To sum up, Wilkinson says, “In practical terms, fruit represents good works – a thought, attitude, or action of ours that God values because it glorifies Him.”
The Importance of Bearing Fruit
In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul explains why fruit is important, saying, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. . .” (Eph 2:10a) So, Christians believe that when God-followers do good works, whatever the actual activity may be, it glorifies God.
Does this mean that only Christians produce fruit? Yes and no. If fruit is defined as Wilkinson states, “. . .a thought, attitude or action that glorifies God,” then the answer is yes. People who are not Christians do good deeds but by being non-believers their actions do not glorify God. What makes the difference is the motivation behind the activity and the status of the doer of the deed.
Good Deeds are Not a Ticket to Heaven
Some people believe that doing good deeds will buy them a spiritual pardon for their shortcomings. Paul, this time when writing to the Ephesians, explains what Christians believe, saying, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Eph 2:8-9) Forgiveness of sins has nothing to do with good deeds but is simply received through acceptance of the gift.
According to Jesus’ parable, a Christian’s primary reason for living is to bring glory to God by producing fruit, which means doing good deeds. Even though bearing fruit is what Christians are supposed to do, not all of them do it. And among those who do, just like vines in a vineyard, there are different levels of productivity.
Additional Information About Jesus' Parable of the Vineyard
Other articles on this topic include Explanation of Jesus' Parable of the Vineyard along with Barren Branches in the Parable of the Vineyard and The Production of Fruit as a Biblical Metaphor.
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