THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES

Beginning with chapter twelve in John's Gospel record, and continuing through chapter seventeen, Jesus prepares His disciples for His imminent trauma - the Garden, the Trial and the Cross - and for His soon departure from them into heavenly glory. In this setting comes the conversation of chapter fifteen regarding the vine and the branches. This passage, as many others, can be understood best (or only?) in the light of the Old Testament, from which it borrows its vocabulary and concepts. With this thought in mind, the congregation of today can find itself led to the point of decision as it fastens its mind on these words of its Lord.

Body

I. "I AM THE TRUE VINE."

   A. It is obvious that Jesus says, "I am the vine," but why does He use the word "true"? The only answer is that there were or had been other "vines" before Him.

   B. Until the coming of Jesus Christ, fleshly Israel had been God's "vine."

        1. He had "planted" Israel in her land, protected her ("wall" and "tower"), and cared for her tenderly and with diligence (Isaiah 5:1,2).

        2. In return, God rightly expected the "fruit" of justice and righteousness; instead He found the "wild grapes" (bad fruit) of oppression and cries. For this fruitlessness, He would discontinue His provisionary care, abandoning the "vine" to its natural enemies (Isaiah 5:3-7).

        3. In such a time of distress, the godly in Israel called on God to remember His past care and to renew His tender saving mercies (Psalm 80:1-19).

   C. No longer will association with fleshly Israel identify one with the divine care and protection, for that is not the "vine" He now tends. Jesus Christ Himself is now the "true vine," the area of God's activity. In union with Him, not with fleshly Israel is one now cared for and watched over by Jehovah. Through Christ alone, God blesses the world, accomplishes His purpose, and glorifies His name (see also Matthew 15:13, a meaningful statement Jesus made centuries before there were any "modern denominations").

II. "MY FATHER IS THE HUSBANDMAN (GARDENER)."

   A. All that Jesus said and did was motivated by and directed to the glory of His Father, Jehovah, the God of Israel. In all circumstances of life, Jesus sought to know and accept and accomplish the will of God. In this He found true peace (John 4:31-34; 5:30,31; 8:28-30; 12:20-33).

   B. The plant depends fully on the wisdom, concern and ability of the gardener. So Jesus (and those who are "branches" in Him) must depend on the Father at all times.

   C. It is the gardener's responsibility to feed, prime, tend, and otherwise care for his plant. But the final product brings glory and praise to the gardener not to the plant he worked. So God the Father receives the praise and glory for all His work - in Christ, in those "in Christ." See Matthew 5:16; Romans 11:36; I Corinthians 1:31; I Peter 4:11.

   D. "Perfect happiness is perfect obedience to one in whom you have perfect trust." On this point see the excellent book The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life, by Hannah W. Smith.

III. BELIEVERS ARE "BRANCHES" IN CHRIST, AND SO SHARE HIS SITUATION BEFORE THE FATHER (15:4,5,8).

   A. Christians must also submit their will to God (Romans 6:6-13; 8:3-11; Philippians 2:13; Colossians 3:1-4).

   B. God, as gardener, will cultivate them for a blessing to others and a source of glory to Himself.

        1. This was true of Jesus (John 6:37,38; 7:37-39).

        2. It is said also of the Christian (Galatians 5: 22,23; 11 Thessalonians 1:11,12; Hebrews 13: 20,21; Jude 20-25).

   C. "Fruit" will be borne by the "branch" which "remains" in the "vine." This is not a command but a promise! But no fruit will or can be borne unless the branch does abide in the vine. This is not a threat but a statement of fact! Both the above propositions are clearly seen in the figure Jesus uses: a vine and its branches.

   D. The New Testament speaks elsewhere of the good fruit that comes through an abiding union with the Son of God (Romans 7:22; Galatians 5:22,23; Philippians 4:16,17; Colossians 1:9-11; II Peter 1:3-8; see contrast, Ephesians 5:3-6,11,12).

Conclusion

God chose the Christ as His "vine," and "works" Him to His own purposes and glory. Christ is therefore the only genuine vine, and He supplies life to the branches that abide in Him. Believers are "gardened" by God, given life by Christ, and bear fruit to God's glory. But all this depends on submitting one's will to the will of God, every day, and one day at a time.
Decide today to make God's will your will; to offer your will and self to His purposes; to abide in Christ regardless of the consequences; and to give God the gardener all the glory for fruit borne in your life through the power of Christ!

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