The True Vine

Today’s name of Jesus isn’t one we might typically think about especially at Christmas even if the passage is familiar.

 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”[1]

John 15:1-5 (emphasis added)

Why should we meditate on this name of Jesus at Christmas? First, this is the seventh and last “I am” statement Jesus made. Jesus clearly and simply states His deity. Jesus is God incarnate.

Second, Jesus’ words would have stirred His Jewish disciples’ minds to the Scriptures. “I am” was the name God revealed to Moses at the burning bush so that Moses could tell the Israelites who had sent him (Exodus 3:14).

But there’s more! I read vine and my mind pictures grape vineyards I have seen in California and Europe. Jesus’ Jewish listeners may have had similar images come to mind, but it is likely they would have also recalled Scripture.

You brought a vine out of Egypt;

You drove out the nations and planted it.

Psalm 80:8

In this Psalm by Asaph, Israel is called the vine, and the vine became symbolic for Israel. Flavius Josephus, an historian from the first century, described the entrance to the temple as having golden vines above the entrance, and grape clusters as tall as a man hanging down. A golden vine laden with grapes presents a beautiful picture, but whenever the vine description was used for Israel, it was followed with a rebuke.

Let me sing for my beloved

my love song concerning his vineyard:

My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill.

He dug it and cleared it of stones,

and planted it with choice vines;

he built a watchtower in the midst of it,

and hewed out a wine vat in it;

and he looked for it to yield grapes,

but it yielded wild grapes.”

Isaiah 5:1-2 (see also Jeremiah 2:21)

Isaiah uses the imagery of a vineyard as a warning to Israel for their spiritual unfaithfulness. God is the vinedresser who had chosen Israel to be His people beginning with His promise to Abraham. He redeemed Israel and led them out of Egypt. He provided for them in the wilderness and brought them into the Promised Land. “He gave them all they needed to not only prosper spiritually as a nation, but also to be His instrument of blessing to all the nations of the world (Gen. 12:3). But they squandered His gift and drifted from the God to whom they owed their existence.”[2]

With this background in the minds of His disciples, Jesus says, “I am the true vine.” Israel was unfaithful. They chased after idols and rebelled against God. Their sins were many. But the True Vine was perfectly faithful, perfectly righteous. All the ways that Israel sinned, Jesus obeyed perfectly. God was Israel’s deliverer. In His suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus delivers from sin and death those who believe in and receive Him. Rooted in union and communion with God, Israel could be strong and fruitful. Now, in Jesus, we have an even more glorious fulfillment of God’s promise. We have all we need in Christ. He is the true source of spiritual life which results in good fruit.

The True Vine is a name of Jesus we should meditate on at Christmas. It reminds us of Jesus’ faithfulness, righteousness, and the spiritual life that is ours in Him.

Reflection

1.    How does Jesus the True Vine transform you? How are you different because He is the True Vine, and you are a branch? How do you see resulting strength and fruitfulness in your life because of being rooted in the True Vine?

2.    How does Jesus the True Vine give you hope?

3.    What about Jesus the True Vine brings you joy?

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 15:1–5.

[2] Johnston, Mark. “Theology.” Ways to Learn at Ligonier.Org, Ligonier Ministries, 8 July 2024, learn.ligonier.org/articles/how-is-jesus-true-vine?srsltid=AfmBOoqSklbE_Ir8DpNuuy6T_KsYhHfbV9f8nbhXp8XgQpC17gt-1cBZ.