The true vine

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener.” John 15:1
Throughout Scripture, the grapevine is a symbol of national Israel (Ps. 80:8, Isa. 5:1-7, Jer. 2:21, Ezek. 15:1-8, Hos. 10:1). But here, Jesus says that He is the true vine. This implies that there is a false vine – see Mark 12:1-12. The religious leaders of Israel had failed in their responsibilities to bring forth fruit for God. Now Jesus is here as the true vine, and we who believe in Him are the branches (John 15:5).
A grapevine takes a lot of tending. As the fruit grows, the branches start to droop. It needs to be carefully tied up so that the fruit does not rot on the ground. Similarly, God watches over our lives in minute detail. When we start to bring forth fruit, He ensures that the fruit will not be trampled or become rotten. He lifts us up from the mud and mire, so that we can now live on a higher plane, for His glory. He trains us so that we will become even more fruitful.
Jesus is not a wild vine; He was completely obedient to the Father. He is the source of nourishment for the branches, and He is the one who anchors and unites us.