One True Vineyard

I don't know what Bible or which translations or versions "Christians" are reading these days (too many to count) but what I read is, Christians, followers of Jesus Christ should be of the same mind as Christ (Philippians 2).  Jesus also said the Ten Commandments are wrapped up in just two, the greatest being love for God with your whole being and the second to love others as yourself in response to a lawyer’s question (Matthew 22:35-40).  Paul (Saul of Tarsus) even added if we do not have love for others, what we do and say (as followers reflecting Christ) would be useless, would mean nothing (1 Corinthians 13).

There are those who identify as "Christians," “Disciples,” “Saints” or “Witnesses” that might not believe as I do or interpret the Bible as I read it but, one thing is clear, LOVE for our neighbors, praying and doing good for them is what I read (Micah 6:8).  Jesus condemned no one; hated no one but condemned the contradictory behaviors, actions of the religious leaders of His day; which did not reflect true Judaism (Luke 17:37-54).  The Bible seems to indicate that Christianity is an extension of what Judaism was to be; the Kingdom of God.  Christianity was not meant to be a separate "Religion.”  My reading of the Gospel’s reveals that Jesus himself was true to Judaism.  He went to Synagogues; He celebrated Passover and He read Scripture.  Jesus followed the Commandments; as we read that he honored his father and mother when 12 years old (Luke 2:41-51).  Jesus touched the lepers (unclean); spoke to women; associated with the marginalized; and healed outsiders and the despised (Mathew 15:21-28; Luke 8:40 -56).  Jesus was about life, not religion.

When I attended Seminary, I took a course in the Gospel of John taught by Professor Ian Scott.  One of our major papers was to pick a passage in the Gospel of John and expound (discuss) on it.  I selected John 15:1-11, the discourse on the Vine and the Branches.  Jesus is the Vine and we who believe, confess and receive are the branches challenged to “bear fruit;” the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).  Jesus was speaking of the coming Kingdom of God (which was at hand) and the branches were to experience a complete and full life; evident in the bearing of fruit.  The following is what I summed up in my paper when looking at the Vine and the Branches in the Gospel of John.

1.       Jesus stated that he was the true vine comparing himself with the people of Israel which had become false and disobedient following suit with Israel’s knowledge of begin chosen by God and planted (Psalm 80; Jeremiah 2:31).  Jesus states that his Father (God) is the vine grower.
2.       God looks for good fruit to be produced.  Israel is pictured as a vine planted by God.  God expected Israel to bear “good fruit” but God said, “When I looked that it should produce grapes, it produced wild (bad) grapes” (Isaiah 5:1-7).
3.       Pruning is a vital part in bearing fruit; it is necessary.  First, branches that bear fruit are pruned, encouraging them to bear more fruit.  Second, branches that do not bear fruit are pruned in the hopes that they would begin to bear fruit.
4.       “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).  “Abide in me,” Jesus says.  The word Abide in Greek is found nine times in John 15:1-11 and can also mean “to remain or dwell.”  Branches cannot produce fruit on their own; they must be connected, stay and continue on the vine which provides the water and nutrients branches need to produce good fruit.
5.       The image of “the vineyard’ is first seen in the Book of Genesis, “God created man in his own image…; male and female…and God blessed them…” (Genesis 1:26-28).  “And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man (and woman) whom he had formed” (Genesis 2:8).
6.       The vineyard was taken from the nation of Israel and given to another; the believers in Christ.  Jesus uses the image of the vineyard, of which the religious leaders were familiar in his parable in Matthew 21:33-46.  Jesus, touching on Isaiah’s vineyard, informs the leaders of Israel what was to become of Israel.
7.       Life lived in union with Christ should result in joy.  If we are abiding in Christ we would know joy, his joy and our joy would be full and complete and remain.

I have read the Bible through, went to Bible College and Seminary; studied individual books of the Bible, and still come up with the same conclusion; the Bible is not about religion.  I believe the discourse on the Vine and The Branches in John 15 exemplifies the relationship that God so desires for people; this is the goal for those who are “connected to the Vine.”  The Bible is about life; from Genesis to Revelation the theme is clearly evident and is my “signature” at the end of my e-mails as summed up by Paul; “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being [existence]” (Acts 17:28).  This assurance of “being,” in the True Vine, is enough for me.




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