The True Vine

The Vine

"I am the true vine" (John 15:1)

All earthly things are shadows of heavenly realities. They are the expression, in created, visible forms, of God's invisible glory. The Life and the Truth are in heaven. On earth, we have figures and shadows of these heavenly truths. When Jesus says, "I am the true Vine," He tells us that all the vines of earth are pictures and emblems of Himself. He is the divine reality, of which they are the created expression. They all point to Him, preach Him, and reveal Him. If you want to know Jesus, study the vine.

Many eyes have gazed on and admired a great vine with its beautiful fruit. Come and gaze on the heavenly vine until your eye turns from all else to admire Him. Many who live in a sunny climate sit and rest under the shadow of a vine. Come and be still under the shadow of the true Vine, and rest under it from the heat of the day. What countless numbers rejoice in the fruit of the vine! Come, take, and eat of the heavenly fruit of the true Vine. Let your soul say, "I sat under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste."

I am the true Vine. This is a heavenly mystery. The earthly vine can teach you much about this Vine of heaven. Many interesting and beautiful points of comparison suggest themselves. They help us to understand what Christ meant. But, such thoughts do not teach us to know what the heavenly Vine really is, in its cooling shade, and its life-giving fruit. The experience of this is part of the hidden mystery, which no one but Jesus Himself - by the Holy Spirit - can unfold and impart.

I am the true Vine. The vine is the living Lord, who Himself speaks and gives and works all that He has for us. If you want to know the meaning and power of that word, do not look for it in thought or study. These may help to show what you need from Him in order to awaken desire, hope, and prayer. But, they cannot you the Vine. Jesus alone can reveal Himself. He gives His Holy Spirit to open the eyes to gaze upon Himself, to open the heart to receive Himself. He must Himself speak the word to you and me.

I am the true Vine. And what am I to do if I want the mystery, in all its heavenly beaut and blessing, opened up to me? With what you already know of the parable, bow down and be still. Worship and wait until the divine word enters your heart, and you feel His holy presence with you - in you. The overshadowing of His holy love will give you the perfect calm and rest of knowing that the Vine will do all.

I am the true Vine. He who speaks is God - in His infinite power able to enter into us. He is man - one with us. He is the crucified One, who won a perfect righteousness and a divine life for us through His death. He is the glorified One, who, from the throne, gives His Spirit to make His presence real and true. He speaks. Oh, listen, not only to His Words, but to Himself as He whispers secretly day by day. "I am the true Vine! All that the Vine can ever be to its branch, I will be to you."

Holy Lord Jesus, the heavenly Vine of God's own planting, I beseech You, reveal Yourself to my soul. Let the Holy Spirit, not only in thought, but in experience, teach me all that You, the Son of God, are to me as the true Vine. Amen

~Andrew Murray~