Presents
Pamphlet #4501
My highlighted verses: John 15:1 I AM the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
The Gospel of John, chapter 15. This is so cool and we thank our Father for it.
The "I AM", Jesus Christ, now likens Himself to a vine, which has branches. The question is, "Why would He make this analogy"? The answer is: To teach us, so that we may get a clear PICTURE of how He abides in us and we in Him. And the Father is the husbandman, the vinedresser, the caretaker who goes through the vineyard and prunes the branches and cuts off the dead ones.John 15:1
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Note to "city slickers": A vine, like a grape vine, is the main artery, the trunk through which the life sustaining nutrients flow to feed and nourish the branches so that they can produce beautiful ripe fruit, like a whole cluster of grapes.
And there is only ONE TRUE VINE, even the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember, none can come unto the Father except by Him (John 14:6)?
There are two things noted here:The "I AM", Jesus Christ, now likens Himself to a vine, which has branches. The question is, "Why would He make this analogy"? The answer is: To teach us, so that we may get a clear PICTURE of how He abides in us and we in Him. And the Father is the husbandman, the vinedresser, the caretaker who goes through the vineyard and prunes the branches and cuts off the dead ones. [2] Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
(1) If a branch [person] does not bear fruit, it [he] is cut off and taken away.
(2) If a branch does bear fruit then the Husbandman will occasionally prune it back so that it may be even more productive, because if the branches are left to grow "wild" they will not produce near as much fruit. Amazing, isn't it? Anyone who has kept a vineyard or has a fruit tree is very familiar with trimming and pruning. So within this simple agricultural process we, the branches, can better "See" and understand our relationship to the vine, which is Jesus Christ, who is the Word of God.
"Now, you have already been pruned by my words." (Phillip's translation)[3] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
This is so simple and basic, something we have all observed, whether it be a vine branch, cut flowers, or even a Christmas tree. If you "Cut off" a branch it will not be able to produce anything because it cannot be fed from the vine. A branch, by itself, apart from being "plugged into" the vine, cannot produce anything. Once it is cut off, it will become dry and lifeless and be destined for verse 6, which in this case is the "deep 6".[4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
As long as you [a branch] stay plugged into the vine and are FED and RECEIVE the nutrients from it, then you will produce much fruit. But, without being fed from the Word of God, you can do nothing. So you may be a branch, even call yourself a Christian, but if you don't stay attached to His Word, the Vine, you will produce no fruit.John 15:5
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Here's how worthless branches that produce no fruit are handled:
Of course this is analogous to the lake of fire following the Millennium, when all the "dead wood" that has been gathered is cast into the lake of fire and is consumed away and perishes, just as John 3:16 says.John 15:6
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
That's the bad news. BUT, there
is GOOD and WONDERFUL news too! If you stay attached to the True Vine,
and become engorged with its nutrients [His words] which flow from it [Him],
so that they [His words] abide in you, then you absolutely can't imagine
the blessings the Father will bestow upon you.
To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits;
to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, you accomplish both.
is.
Published by:
Rhine
Publishing Co.
E-mail address - americanwisdomseries@verizon.net
If you would
like to have your essay published
as part of
the American Wisdom Series
submit your
manuscript to Rhine Publishing Co
at the address
above for consideration.
Click
Here to Return to "The
American Wisdom Series" home page.