I Am The True Vine

Following the Passover supper the Lord spoke to His disciples about the fruit of the vine and instituted the communion or remembrance service for the Church which we continue to observe. He likened bread and wine to Christ’s own broken body and shed blood. Now, as the Lord and His disciples leave Jerusalem for the Mount of Olives the time is fast approaching when He will be parted from His disciples, taken to the cross and made a sacrifice for the sin of His people. 

A lesson in spiritual union

As the little party journeyed to the garden of Gethsemane, Christ drew His followers’ attention to the spiritual union He has with His Church, and His people with Him, using the similitude of a vine and its branches. We note, again, the Lord’s use of the expression ‘I am’. Here, He first tells us, ‘I am the true vine’ or ‘the vine of truth’, then He continues, ‘I am the vine, ye are the branches’. This is the seventh and final example of this form of speaking in John’s gospel.

The power of ‘I Am’

As we have seen, our Saviour frequently employs this little phrase, ‘I am’. By doing so He gives His statements immense significance. He indicates His divine nature, He specifies His Messianic responsibilities and He reveals His unique role as Mediator of the covenant between His Father and Himself on behalf of His Church. There is spiritual revelation in the Lord’s language. The ‘I am’ names which the Lord adopts and applies to Himself describe His broad covenant functions and convey His divine titles and responsibilities. 

Our source of grace

The aptness of this ‘vine’ metaphor is principally found in the spiritual goodness or spiritual fruitfulness Christ’s people draw from their Saviour. It is God’s grace and mercy in the new birth and throughout His people’s spiritual growth. Prior to conversion sinners are spiritually dead in sin and incapable of pleasing God. All our works are tainted and spoiled by evil intentions and selfish motives. Our highest righteousnesses are filthy rags. Following the new birth Christ is made unto us righteousness, holiness and sanctification and our good works are acceptable to God as offerings of gratitude and praise for all He has done for us by His grace.

The Vine and its fruit

A vine is a comparatively weak tree, as Christ was weak in His human nature, but it is very fruitful. It bears fruit in great clusters. A good vine stalk is healthy, vigorous and free from disease, so our Lord Jesus was supplied with a sinless human nature, a fit body and lively human soul by His Father, likened here to the husbandman. The ‘true’ vine bears good fruit, sweet and useful, as distinct from the bitter grapes borne of a wild or ‘strange vine’.

Source of every blessing

Similarly, our Lord Jesus Christ, as man and Mediator, is very productive in the fruit He produces and the good He does for His people. He is full of grace and truth. He is the source of all our spiritual blessings. He reveals ‘great and mighty things’ to His church and gives ‘exceeding great and precious promises’ to His people. He is the spring of all spiritual mercy as our Mediator, by whom flows all the gifts of God’s grace and fresh supplies of divine goodness.

The vine and its branches

Christ’s disciples and followers are now themselves likened to branches that emanate from the True Vine. Only branches that are genuinely and lastingly joined to the vine can be fruitful. They evidence their proper union to the vine by bearing much fruit over a long period. Conversely, separated or purged branches are dry, lifeless and barren. Here, the Lord teaches how the wise husbandman, His Father, manages the spiritual wellbeing of Christ’s church by sending such trials as will remove false professors and expose fruitless adherents. 

Complete dependence

The Lord’s words ‘without me ye can do nothing’ are a fitting and timely reminder of our constant reliance upon the Lord Jesus for all spiritual sustenance and support. Many who claim to be Christians are but false professors who make an appearance of unity with Christ’s true church. They may appear briefly amongst the true branches but soon their barrenness will be revealed for we can bear no lasting spiritual fruit except we be truly united to Christ and grafted into Him by faith.

Abiding in Christ

The Lord’s disciples and we as His followers are exhorted to abide in Christ. We are called to exercise faith upon Christ; dwelling in Him, clinging to Him, despite the trials of life. Only in Christ will we maintain spiritual life, derive spiritual nourishment and know divine blessing. Our Saviour encourages our dedication by promising to abide in us. Herein the Father is glorified, Christ is honoured and His church is fruitful in spirit, faith and practice.

Amen.