I Am the True Vine

John 15... Jesus says he is the vine, his father is the gardener, and we are the branches... But why a vine? Why not a pear tree? or a corn stalk? I think I have an idea...

Have you ever seen a grape vine? The union between the vine and the branch is the closest possible. One only needs to look at the branches to see how it is grown in and woven into the vine; in fact, the branch is an integral part of the vine. Compare that, say to a fruit tree. The branch of a tree is part of the trunk, but it is separate and distinct. With a vine, the vine and the branches are almost – but not completely – indistinguishable. This is a pretty amazing picture of our relationship with Christ. We are not Christ, but we are to be so much a part of him that the world should see Jesus through us.

Odd thing about a grape vine. The branches have no other purpose than this - to bear fruit. But the branches cannot bear good fruit unless they remain in the vine and are properly pruned. Jesus tells us what it means to remain in him... that is... to obey his commands. More specifically, to obey his command to love one another.

Today's sermon is all about the true vine. To hear more, click on the link below.

I Am the True Vine
http://www.box.net/shared/nsi3hfz3f7