True Vine

John 151-17

 Here Jesus is declaring a statment "I am" Jesus Christ is the Vine, the true Vine. and that God is the gardener it is The union of the human and Divine natures, and the fulness of the Spirit that is in him, that resemble the root of the vine made fruitful by the moisture from a rich soil. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. in the old testiment.  the “vine” is frequently used as a symbol of Israel in (Ps 80:8-16, Isa 5:1-7, Jer 2:21). This symbol was often used when Israel was lacking in some way. Jesus, however, is the true Vine.

We must be fruitful. From a vine we look for grapes, and from a Christian we look for a Christian temper, disposition, and life. We must honour God, and do good; this is bearing fruit. The unfruitful are taken away. And even fruitful branches need pruning; for the best have notions, passions, and humours, that require to be taken away, which Christ has promised to forward the sanctification of believers, they will be thankful, for them. The word of Christ is spoken to all believers; and there is a cleansing virtue in that word, as it works grace, and works out corruption. And the more fruit we bring forth, the more we abound in what is good, the more our Lord is glorified. In order to fruitfulness, we must abide in Christ,

Those whom God loves as a Father, may despise the hatred of all the world. As the Father loved Christ, who was most worthy, so he loved his disciples, who were unworthy. All that love the Saviour should continue in their love to him, and take all occasions to show it. The joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment, but the joy of those who abide in Christ’s love is a continual feast. They are to show their love to him by keeping his commandments. If the same power that first shed abroad the love of Christ’s in our hearts, did not keep us in that love, we should not long abide in it. Christ’s love to us should direct us to love each other. He speaks as about to give many things in charge, yet names this only; it includes many duties.

How little do many persons think, that in opposing the doctrine of Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, they prove themselves ignorant of the one living and true God, whom they profess to worship! Christ’s disciples were baptized, is that which they will live and die by. It is a comfort to the greatest sufferers, if they suffer for Christ’s name’s sake. The world’s ignorance is the true cause of its hatred to the disciples of Jesus. The clearer and fuller the discoveries of the grace and truth of Christ, the greater is our sin if we do not love him and believe in him.

The Spirit will maintain the cause of Christ in the world, notwithstanding the opposition it meets with. Believers taught and encouraged by his influences, would bear testimony to Christ and his salvation.