IS THE TRUE VINE – :1-2 October 28 & 29, 2017

TEXT: John 15:1-12 MEMORY VERSE: Hebrews 12:10-11

THE TRUE VINE. Here is another “” of Jesus with the emphasis on the word “true.” I am the true vine. This does not mean that He is true as opposed to that which is false, but that He is the one, perfect, essential and enduring vine before which all other vines are but shadows.

I am the true vine (15:1). The vine is the preeminent symbol of Israel. Repeatedly, this is expressed in the that Israel is God’s choice vine or God’s vineyard.

• Isaiah 5:1-2, 7; Jeremiah 2:21; Hosea 10:1; Psalm 80:8-10

The vine was symbolic of Israel. Even today, a bunch of grapes from the vine is a symbol seen in Israel. One amazing thing to see is that the use of this image in the Old Testament is always used as a symbol of Israel’s degeneration, rather than her fruitfulness.

• Isaiah said the vine had run wild and produces only sour grapes – Isaiah 5:1-7. • Jeremiah said Israel had become “a degenerate and strange vine.”

Israel was a vine planted by God to be fruitful but was not. But Jesus is the only true vine. He was despised of men but He was perfect and beloved by the Father who declared Him to be His “beloved Son in whom He was well pleased” (Matthew 3:17, 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35).

• We would be correct in saying that Jesus is the One who, by His very nature as the true vine, brings forth fruit that is pleasing to the Father.

THE GARDENER IS THE FATHER. There are two things the Father is said to do in His care of the vine. First, He is said to prune the fruitful branches and cut off unfruitful branches – which is generally understood to be a purging away of dead branches that are then cast into the fire. But the problem is evident and is seen in verse 2 where some translators have missed the meaning of the term “takes away” or “cut off.” This is due to what is coming in verse 6, but it is not the best nor the most common translation of the Greek word “airo.”

• This word “airo” has four basic meanings. Our list moves from the most fundamental to the most figurative: o To lift up or pick up o To lift up figuratively, as in lifting up one’s voice or eyes o To lift up with the idea of carrying away o To remove

Most translators have chosen “cut off” or “remove.” However, the verse makes better sense if the first and primary meaning of the word is taken. In that case, the sentence would read, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He lifts up.” That would be to keep the branch from trailing on the ground. This is supported in other passages where the word “airo” is used. :59, the angry crowds lifted up stones to throw at Jesus. Mark 16:18, they will pick up deadly serpents. Matthew 15:37 w/Mark 6:43, the disciples “picked up” the leftover food. Matthew 16:24, let him TAKE UP his cross and follow Me.

This translation makes better sense of the passage and is better theology.

1. The emphasis is upon the care of the vine by the Father. It would be strange if the first thing mentioned is the carrying away of unproductive branches. But it is not at all strange to emphasize that the gardener first lifts the branches up so that they may be better exposed to the sun and so the fruit will develop properly. 2. This lifting up is precisely what is done with grape vines. 3. To translate the word airo by “lifts up” gives a proper sequence to the Father’s care of the vineyard, indicated by the verb that follows. First, He lifts the vines up and then He cuts off the unproductive elements which hinder the growth of the plant; this fights insects, moss, or parasites.

For these reasons the translation “lifts up” should be preferred. If this is correct, the first thing the Father does is to lift the Christian closer to Himself. It means the Father creates a sense of true devotion in the Christian – a new heart as we looked at recently in our study of the Holy Spirit. Pruning is experienced by every believer and it is not pleasant, but genuine believers are not “taken away” from the true vine.

PRUNING. The Father prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it may bear more fruit. The word “prune” is the Greek word katharizo, which means to cleanse, make clean, or purify. It is where we get our English word catharsis. This word would indicate the act of cleansing of anything harmful to the vine and the branches – insects, parasitic plants, etc. Here the Father is removing everything that would prove detrimental to the most fruitful harvest.

Remember that “pruning” comes after “lifting up.” If the order were reversed, hypocrisy/self- righteousness would be a major temptation. When we make changes in our lifestyle without first being drawn closer to God in true devotion we tend to imagine ourselves quite “saintly” – when we really aren’t. We begin to look down at others and consider them “worldly” and ourselves “spiritual.”

What should happen is that we FIRST draw near to God and become productive. THEN, as the harmful things are cut away, we hardly miss them. This is simply spiritual maturity.

How are we cleansed? Obviously, Jesus’ blood washes us from sin, but there is another element and that is the Word of God. Ephesians 5:25-27. Jesus made this clear in John 15:3.

WE REMAIN IN CHRIST. Our last point is that Jesus is the vine and the secret to our fruitfulness is abiding in Christ – verses 4-5. We abide in Christ and He remains in us. Jesus is telling us that our lives should reflect that He continually abides in us. No branch bears fruit in isolation – it must be vitally connected to the vine. So it is for the Christian.

Philippians 4:10-13