I Am The True Vine
Public Meeting, Week 4, Sem2/23
Jesus Is The True Vine, Not Us
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser…
The first thing to note is that this imagery of a vine is not new. In the Old Testament, Israel was often referred to as God’s vine (Ps. 80, Isa. 5). So while the metaphor isn’t unfamiliar, what’s new is how it’s being applied. Jesus squarely places himself in the place of Israel, not just as a vine, but the true vine.
Stepping aside from debates about Israel vs. the Church, there is a fundamental lesson here for us. The lesson is this: we are not the center of the universe. Jesus is the true vine, not us. And his Father is the vinedresser. Put another way, we are not the main character in this story of the universe. I’d even go so far to say we’re not even the main actor in the story of our own life.
This goes against everything our society and culture stands for, where the individual is held as sacrosanct. It is especially unfortunate when us Christians are often the first to balk at any perceived impingement of our individual freedoms. We have to be careful that our zeal doesn’t stem from a heart that thinks it’s all about me.
That’s why Jesus as the true vine is such a good corrective and reminder. The second thing it tells us is that God is hard at work in the world. It’s easy to read the news and question where God is. This passage tells us he is right here in the garden. Look at verse 2.
2 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.
Here’s a thought: God doesn’t just take away what is bad, he cuts away even what is good. Which means pain and suffering are a really bad indicator of where we stand with God. Where then should we look? How could we have confidence in our right relationship with God?
Look at verse 3.
3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
This reminds me of all the times I’ve taken my kids for their vaccinations. All I can offer in the face of their screams of terror is my word that this pain is not just necessary, it is ultimately good for them. What else is there? It would be crazy for me to hand them a textbook on virology and expect them to not just understand it, but be comforted by it.
The same goes for us as Christians when we experience pain. We turn from the face of it to our Father in heaven. He tells us in his word that he cares for us and loves us. All we must do is trust what he says.
Not only that, just like how it is precisely because I care for my kids that I subject them to their vaccinations, God’s dealings with us is driven by his love for us. It is not that God doesn’t care for us that he tends to the vine. It is precisely because he cares for us that he focuses on it. That’s because of verse 4.
4 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. 5 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.
A tree that loses a branch survives. The branch that loses its tree dies. The only way we can continue to live is by ensuring our connection to Jesus, because apart from him we can do nothing. Which just leaves the question: what does it mean to abide?
How Do We Abide In Jesus?
6 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 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
It’s really simple. Read your Bible and pray. It’s right there in verse 7 - Word and prayer. To be honest, I think intuitively we already knew this. Ask yourself how differently you would be going about your day if your daily devotions were on fire? It’s not flashy, it’s not complicated; it can seem very dull and boring but I guarantee you, daily Bible reading and prayer done consistently over a long period of time is the key to unlocking a fruitful life in Christ.