Now this chapter, particularly the first eleven verses, is well known by most Believers. In fact, it may very well be one of the most read passages in all of the Gospel record... but also one that raises the most questions. In fact again, do any of us truly understand the true meaning of the lesson that Jesus is teaching here? Why does He speak of a vine and branches and fruit, anyway? Why does He speak of unfruitfulness and of casting off and of burning, there in the first eight verses, while in the next seven His emphasis is on loving God and loving each other?
Well, we may as well start at the beginning. We finished chapt. 14 with Jesus and His disciples leaving the upper room, following the Passover meal. And they're on their way to the Garden of Gethsemane where we will hear the great prayer that He prayed there, both for them, and for us, as recorded in ch. 17. And as they passed through the dark streets of Jerusalem, Jesus began to talk to His men about life in Him, and in the presence of Father God, as well as the soon-to-be-present Holy Spirit...with them and in them. Remember that these had been the topics of His teaching back in the upper room
Now keep in mind that this passage does not apply to people who are outside of Christ; lots of His teaching does, but this does not. And we can trace that right back to ch. 13.1. He had been teaching about communion with Himself, about preparing a place for them, and manifesting Himself to them through the presence of Holy Spirit...what to be, and to do, while He was away from them.
Now to begin with, we need to realize that although "vine-talk" is strange to us, it was not strange at all to the Jews. In fact, the Old Testament symbol for the nation of Israel, was that of a fruitful vine (see at least, Psalm 80, and Isaiah 5). In the case of Israel, the vine had not quite borne the intended fruit, nor had it remained fruitful, which is exactly why Father God had sent the Son to live amongst His creation, to begin with. Where national Israel had failed, Jesus would succeed! They had failed to abide in God, but soon Holy Spirit would bring about a new fruitfulness, as they began to experience real productivity under the government of the Kingdom of God. After all, that's the sole purpose of a vine, isn't it? And the means by which a healthy vine is identified, is the quality of its bountiful and beautiful fruit. Remember, Jesus' teaching here is of those who are committed to obedience to Him!
Now you may still be wondering why, and how. And what makes the difference anyway? Well the answer is found in these very verses. Therefore, this chapter is not one to be glanced-at, or to be brushed-off, either one. Remember that it's dyed-in-the-wool Holy Spirit-filled Believers that God is raising-up here. Believers who would bear spiritual fruit, and bring glory to Him rather than to self. Remember that...this is critical!
Take notice that the word "abide", apppears nine times in the first ten verses of this chapter...an expansion of the seed-thoughts which Jesus had taught in chapt. 14. So "the vine and the branches" speak of an intimate oneness, dependency, and a shared health and goodness, don't they?! Yes, they do.
Now as we look at vs. 1, we again see those two, telltale little words, "I Am", used fifty or more times throughout the Gospel according-to John. Not simply "a vine", like Israel was a vine , but "the true Vine", as we have learned in earlier chapters, that He is "the true Light", and "the true Bread" and "the true Water". And remember that He, Himself is "Truth", with a capital "T", in completee contrast with all other allegorical lamps and breads and waters, referred-to througout the Old Testament. Jesus is the real thing, while all those other things, as recorded in Hebrews 8.5, are mere shadows of "the Truth" which was to come.
"And My Father is the Husbandman"...the Proprietor of the vineyard...the Vine-dresser, the Cultivator, and the Caretaker of the Vine and His branches. And the Vine, as we read in Isaiah 53, "...had grown up before Him as a tender plant, a root out of a dry ground."
So exactly what does a husbandman do? Well for sure, He watches and protects every branch, big and small, and every little green shoot. And he takes notice of every leaf and blossom and every piece of fruit...watering, pruning and training, as the reason or season demands. When a disease strikes, he tends to it, and when no fruit comes, he prunes it, and when there are too many blossoms, he purges some away so that the developing fruit will be bigger and better and more abundant. And so it is, Jesus says, with our Heavenly Father...constantly concerned for the spiritual wellbeing and fruitfulness of every individual Believer.
Next time we'll be getting right to the meat of the matter, so be prepared to have your thinking, or your teaching, challenged. And in anticipation of that, I'll be praying for you!
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