Jesus The True Vine
The Relationship of Christ to His Community is described with special intimacy in the name "the Vine". Used in the New Testament only in gospel of John in the allegory of John 15, the name appears in 15:1, "I am the true vine", and more fully in 15:5, "I am the vine, you are the branches". Disciples abide in Him, and bear much fruit; otherwise they are cost forth as branches, and are withered, and men gather them for burning (15:5-8). "Apart from me", says John 15:5, "you can do nothing". A more vital relationship could hardly be described.
...The saying reveals the close faith relationship between the community of believers and the Exalted Lord. Its communal aspects are even more apparent when it is observed that Christ does not say He is the stem, but the Vine of which His disciples are the branches. The closeness of this relationship is more completely expressed that it is in the imagery of the body; although here it is true that, while Christ is "the Head", the Church is also His Body, the Body of Christ. In the use of the name "the Vine" no such qualifying phrase is necessary. Christ is unambiguously presented as the very life of His community in the words, "He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit" (15:5), together with the warning that, if a man does not abide in Him, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered" (15:6)
-excerpt taken from The Names of Jesus by Vincent Taylor pg 104-03
Jesus The True Vine
"I am the true vine." (John 15:1)
This is the heavenly mystery. The earthly vine can teach you much about this Vine of Heaven. Many interesting and beautiful points of comparison suggest themselves, and help us to get conceptions of what Christ meant. But such thought do not teach us to know what the heavenly Vine really is, in its cooling shade, and its life-giving fruit. The experience of this is part of the hidden mystery, which none but Jesus Himself, by His Holy Spirit, can unfold and impart.
"I am the true vine." - The vine is the living Lord, who Himself speaks, and gives, and works all that He has for us. If you would know the meaning and power of that word, do not think to find it by thought of study: these may help to show y9ou what you must get from Him to awaken desire and hope and prayer, but they cannot show you the Vine. Jesus alone can reveal Himself. He gives His Holy Spirit to open the eyes to gaze upon Himself, to open the heart to receive Himself. He must Himself speak the word to you and me.
- except taken from The Vine by Andrew Murray pg 10
Jesus The True Vine
"I am the true vine." (John 15:1)
And what am I to do, if I want the mystery involved in the True Vine story, in all its heavenly beauty and blessing, opened up to me? With what you already know of this parable, bow down and be still, worship and wait, until the divine Word enters your heart, and you feel His holy presence with you, and in you. The overshadowing of His holy love will give you the perfect calm and rest of knowing that the Vine will do all.
"I am the the vine" - He who speaks is God, in His infinite power able to enter into us. He is man, one with us. He is the crucified One, who won a perfect righteousness and a divine life for us through His death. He is the glorified One, who from the throne give His Spirit to make His presence real and true. He speaks - oh, listen, not to His words only, but to Himself, as He whispers secretly day by day: "I am the true Vine! All that the Vine can ever be to its branch, I will be to You."
- except taken from The Vine by Andrew Murray pg 11
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