One may wonder why Jesus said, "I am the true Vine," instead of "I am the Vine" (Jn 15:1).  There are good reasons for it.  There are too many false vines in the world, that Jesus wanted to distinguish Himself apart from them as the True Vine.  Let us see some false vines, good vines and the True Vine.

False Vines

1. The backslidden believers

In Deuteronomy 32:32, we read, "Their vine comes from the vine of Sodom and  from the fields of Gomorrah.  Their grapes are filled with poison, and their clusters with bitterness.  Their vine is the venom of serpents, the deadly poison of cobras."

This passage speaks about Israel whom the Lord loved, chose as His own possession and cared for.  Yet they left Him to serve other gods.  God laments, "They are a nation without sense, there is no discernment in them.  If only they were wise and would understand this and discern what their end will be" (vv 28,29). 

Do you see yourself here?  What made you leave the Lord?  Were you enticed by sin?  Did adverse circumstances overtake you?  Wrong friendships?  Do you not realise it is the plot of satan to take you away from the bosom of our dear Lord?  Don't turn your back on all that you have learned.  Think of the terrible judgment day.  God still loves you.  "How can I give you up?" He asks (Hos 11:8).  Even now He wants to draw you back to Him with cords of love (11:4).  Go to a senior spiritual brother or sister and pour out your heart.  They will guide you.  Still all is not lost, there is hope. It is never too late to make a U turn to change your life to become a sweet vine. 
  
2. Worldly believers

These are not backslidden believers but good believers with a slant.  They have not left the Lord but holding the Lord with one hand and the world with the other hand.  Their mind is constantly oscillating between God and the world resulting in them bringing forth bitter fruits.

In Isaiah5:1,2,8, we see how the Lord prepared his people like a vineyard "in a very fruitful hill.  He dug it up and cleared out its stones, and planted it with the choicest vine." In other words He fought for them, threw out their enemies and established them in the land with all that they needed to flourish - "the tower" and the winepress." It was only natural that as the owner of His choice vineyard, His people, He would expect a vintage crop of sweet grapes from them.  but instead His vineyard brought forth, "wild grapes," bitter fruit without sweetness or benefit.

Verse 8 of Isaiah 5 is a clear portrait of worldly believers who went after wealth, vast properties, fields and houses, pushing their boundaries till there was no more place, suffocating in their own greediness.  So the Lord marvels at these ingrates in Jeremiah 2:21.  His "noble vine" that He had planted, "a seed of highest quality" regenerated into an alien vine, an ungrateful people, who sought people who sought satisfaction elsewhere. 

Can we, as God's people, follow in the footsteps of the worldly believers?  Should we not be totally committed to bear good fruit in our life? 

3. Useless grapes

In Hosea 10:1, we see a vivid description of the degenerate ways of man.  Israel was a healthy, lush vine, planted by God Himself.  But even as the prosperity of the people grew, so did their lust for material things and possessions.  They became selfish and greedy, squandering all their wealth on themselves.  "The more lavish the harvest, the more promiscuous the worship, the more money they got, the more  they squandered on gods-in-their-own-image" (The Message Bible). 

The life of the Master of the Vineyard is in sharp contrast to the life style of selfishness and greed.  Jesus lived for others without counting the coast. He poured out His life for people and showed by example the good and best way to live.  Be lavish in your giving.  Live for others.  Lift up the downtrodden.  Heal the broken-hearted.  Let others be your focus and the Lord will enjoy your sweet fruits. 

4. Eaten and withered vine

In Joel 1:7 we get a picture of God's people who have been ruined and stripped bare of all their wealth and grandeur.  Enemies had invaded the land and God's cherished vine had been laid waste and His fig tree ruined.  The people lost God's protection because of their backsliding, selfishness, and greed.  They harboured secret sins in their lives which ate away like cancer in their souls.  Secret sins, the worms that look insignificant and weak in the beginning, by their constant gnawing can overthrow even the best intentions of the heart.  The prophet Jona's ministry withered and died just like the vine he sat under, because he grumbled, showed no compassion for the people and questioned God's wisdom in averting the disaster.  Jonah later repented when God showed him the error of his ways.

We too have our secret sins which we cleverly hide from others.  Some are into pornography,  using their mobiles to chat indiscriminately, gossip and play games, while others are addicts of YouTube and the multi-faceted programs they dish out.  Technology and media can be useful in many ways but there is a downside also of which we have to beware and exercise self-control.  Many do not consider gluttony as a sin at all and live just to eat.

Jesus expected to find some fruit from a green leafy fig tree but was sorely disappointed.  As a consequence the fig tree withered and dried up.  It did not live up to its role of providing fruit.  We must be able to feed those who come to us spiritually hungry, with wise counsel and love, bearing the fruits that the Lord expects. 

The devil's insidious whispers in our ears can often be alluring and lead us down dangerous downward spiral.  So don't give place, to the devil, not even one inch.  Make a decision to cut down on mobile time.  Learn different and new things.  Read books that uplift you.  Be socially aware and be helpful to others.

Are we steadily growing in the Lord becoming more and more fruitful, or are we withering away gradually?

Good Vines

1. Imitate Christ.

In Genesis 49:22, we read about Joseph.  He was compared to a fruitful bought that flourished by a well.  Though he was mistreated and hated by his brothers, he forgave them, saved them and provided generously for them.  It was as though they poured water on him and he turned it to wine. 

Are we capable of such noble behaviour?  Matthew 5:44 tells us to, "love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, use you spitefully and persecute you." Joseph was a gem among his brothers.  Can we too be different from our siblings and stand out like the moon among the stars?

Joseph is an antitype of Christ.  He too was ridiculed by His brothers.  Joseph married a gentle bride like Jesus who took the church as His bride.  Joseph mirrored the Lord Jesus by his noble character, wisdom and knowledge. 

Can people see Jesus in us?  Do we exhibit Christ-like characteristics in our daily walk?

2. Stay in your calling.

Judges 9:12, "Then the trees said to the vine  "You come and reign over us." This scenario happens to many who exhibit wisdom and knowledge in their behavior and thinking.  They are sought after and often pressurized to accept some position they don't want.  This could also happen to foolish people who are wealthy and have powerful connections in politics and society.  They have greatness thrust upon them which they cannot handle.  The vine is a weak plant giving sweet fruit but the strong trees wanted it to rule over them.  The honour they wanted to give it was undeserved and unwise. 

The Lord Jesus was an exception.He had all the credentials to become king.  Yet He was humble and focused on the task.  The devil tried to tempt Him unsuccessfully with all the wealth and power of the world.  But Jesus simply turned His back on him.  People tried to force kingship on Him but He set His eyes on the cross and nothing could deter Him from the course.  Because He was unwavering, He achieved salvation for all. 

Be tenacious in your calling.  Do not be distracted by attractive offers. Only then you can bear the fruit God expects from you; or else you will end up a bramble. 

3. Be fragrant.

The song of Solomon in 2:13 reads as follows:  "The vines with tender grapes give a good smell." As the grape vines start blooming, they give off a  floral scent.  Yes, when little children like tender grapes are nurtured wisely in their growing years, they will bloom into responsible citizens.  2 Corinthians 2:14,15 tells us how we diffuse the fragrance of Christ when we witness for Him.  Our life has to be a testimony, whether at home, among friends or at the work place.  We have to spread the aroma of Christ.  "Those who dwell under the shadow shall return, they shall be revived like grain and grow like a vine.  Their scent shall be like the vine of Lebanon" (Hos 14:7).  Jn 15:8 confirms our discipleship when we bear much fruit.

4. Jesus, the True Vine.

People and the devil tried their level best to push Him into sin, to get angry, to go as the world goes and become useless. They wanted this lush green tree to wither away and dry up. But He was one with His Father and stayed focused on His calling, ever green and bearing sweet fruit till the end. His fragrance today has spread all over the world.

Jesus said, "Follow Me." Let us follow in His footsteps and bear sweet fruit to gladden His heart.

Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
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  lilianstanley@gmail.com

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