“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.

John 15:1

The people of Israel were familiar with the idea of the vine and the vineyard. The prophet Isaiah used that imagery to describe the LORD’s relationship with Israel (Isaiah 5:1-7).

And the psalmist wrote –

You brought a vine out of Egypt;
you drove out the nations and planted it.
You cleared the ground for it;
it took deep root and filled the land.

Psalm 80:8-9

As the true vine, Jesus described how we can stay connected to Him.

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.

John 15:4-5

What does it mean to abide? Abiding is more than complying or obedience, abiding in Christ is a lifelong commitment to remain connected with Christ.