In John’s Gospel, Christ is continually presented as the substance of all the previous shadows. The light, the lamb, the temple, the fountain, the manna, the shepherd–each is reviewed and replaced by His own glorious Person.
With what wondering awe must the eleven, who a few hours before looked on the withered fig tree, and in feeble measure apprehended that it portrayed the doom of the nation, now hear: “I am the True Vine.”
The Vine had been the theme of psalmist’s song and prophet’s message; the vineyard and its husbandmen is the subject of the Lord’s most searching parable. The vine out of Egypt (Ps. 80:8), the choicest vine (Isa. 5:2) and its wild grapes; the noble vine turned into a degenerate plant (Jer. 2:21)–all tell their own story of Israel’s folly, failure, and judgment. The nation may be set aside, but “the True Vine” remains. And if the True Vine remains, fruit is assured. “I have glorified Thee on the earth” (Jn. 17:4) is true. Forever He shall see the fruit of the travail of His soul; the redeemed shall be to the praise of the glory of His grace.
More wonderful, however, is what follows: “Ye are the branches” (v. 5). From the apostasy of Israel or from the corruption of heathendom, God has made us partakers of Christ. He who sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one. As branches, we are the objects of the divine Husbandman’s care. “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons” (Heb. 12:7). His dealings have one object–more fruit.
The two finest things in the world are: the newborn enthusiasm of the young convert, the springtime of Christian experience; and the calm and quiet of that fuller experience which only comes as the result of tribulation–the vintage of a spiritual harvest.
There is also the solemn side. “Every branch . . . that beareth not fruit He taketh away” (v. 2). Unfortunately, frequent controversy as to the eternal security of the believer has obscured the solemnity of this and similar passages. Far too frequently we measure our blessings by escape from eternal condemnation, forgetting that as long as we are in the place of responsibility, it is possible for us to be disapproved. It is sadly possible for a Christian’s usefulness to cease, and for God to act in discipline. “He purgeth it” (v. 2). As the branch bears fruit resulting from the inflow of life from the parent stem, so the believer is “in Christ” through His death and resurrection. Growth can only be the result of a living faith in the Life Himself.
“If ye abide in Me” (v. 7) expresses the heart attitude of communion with God, in the personal enjoyment of Christ. This is the exercise of absolute dependence on Him for guidance, grace, and strength. Abiding also means subjection to Him in every detail of life, the acknowledgment of Him in all our ways–glorying in His will and obedient to His Word.
“That ye bear much fruit” (v. 8) is the purpose for which we have been chosen. The plant determines the character of the fruit. God intends that from the branches of the Vine fruit for His glory should be continually borne. “To live Christ” among men is not only the highest purpose to which a life can be devoted, but the greatest service which anyone can render to the world.
The blessings of abiding in Christ are twofold: “Your joy may be full” (v. 11). Fruit-bearing apart from fullness is impossible. It is the overflow which goes out in blessing to others. Fullness is characteristic of our salvation. The Church is the fullness of Christ who is her Head, and as individuals we are complete in Him. Joy is salvation’s dominant note; we cannot be in His presence without being in the fullness of joy.
“Ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (v. 7). Communion with Him will mean not only acceptance, but an appreciation of the divine will. We often ask and receive not, and when we examine our hearts, we find that we have asked amiss. Prayer can be effectual; prayer will be answered, but only where the petitioner is a branch in the Vine, abiding in Him, and His Word abiding in the petitioner’s heart.