For Young People–Plants of the Bible

PLANTS OF THE BIBLE

10. The Vine – Fruit

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing”

John 15:5

We now consider the vine, a plant which is mentioned many times in the Bible. In the broadest sense a vine may be any climbing or trailing plant. The vine that we are thinking about is properly known as the grapevine. Grapes are the round, juicy fruits which grow in large clusters on the branches of a woody vine. When ripe the grapes may be various colours – black, blue, red, yellow, green or white. Grapes can be eaten raw or used for making wine.

Wild grapevines grow in some places but over the centuries many varieties of grapevine have been cultivated by man to produce grapes for the table and for wine. By crossing different types of grapevines hybrids may be made which are resistant to pests or to frosts, increasing the range of cultivation. The four countries which produce the most grapes for winemaking are Spain, France, Italy and Turkey.

You will be familiar with fresh grapes but you may not realise that you often eat dried grapes too! What we call a ‘raisin’ is simply a grape that has been dried. A ‘currant’ comes from a small, seedless variety of grape originally from Greece. A ‘sultana’ comes from a white, seedless grape originally from Turkey.

Jesus spoke these wonderful words about the vine when he was with his disciples in the upper room. They had just celebrated the first Lord’s supper. Jesus had taken bread to represent his body which was to be broken for sinners. He had also used the fruit of the vine to represent his precious blood which was to be shed for sinners.

By the symbol of the vine Christ is indicating the relation between himself and his people. He is saying to the disciples and to us, “What you see in this plant is a figure of what I am, and what you are in me, in a spiritual way.” Let us look at the vine and learn what it has to teach us about Christ and his church.

Firstly the vine portrays a union. Jesus says that he is the vine, meaning that he is to his people what the stock or stem of the vine is to its branches. Christ comes first. He has life in himself and is the source of that abundant life which is begun here and now in the souls of his believing people and which shall have no end.

The vine is perhaps a lowly and unattractive plant. Jesus the Son of God, who as a man so greatly humbled himself, is to many as “a root out of a dry ground” with “no beauty that we should desire him” (Isa.53:2). To his own however Jesus becomes “altogether lovely” when they are joined to him and know him as their Lord and Saviour.

Jesus says that believers are the branches of the vine, meaning that they spring out of him as their root. By nature we are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph.2:1) and we live a life that is wholly displeasing to God. We need a new beginning! A true Christian is someone who is born again, “not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13). In his grace God unites us to His Son through faith. Have you believed on the name of Christ?

Secondly the vine suggests a communion. Communion is a special friendship and fellowship. Through his union with Christ a believer has communion with Christ, meaning that he comes to enjoy all the benefits of salvation which Jesus has purchased for sinners. For this it is necessary that we abide or dwell in Christ. We must exercise our faith daily in reading the Scriptures and in prayer. We must hear the preaching of the gospel. By these means the Spirit of Christ produces his beautiful fruit in us.

The Christians in Colosse were abiding in Christ by faith. Paul could say that the gospel had brought forth fruit in them since the day they heard of it, “and knew the grace of God in truth” (Col.1:6). Grace was flowing into their lives as they trusted in the Lord Jesus and depended on him. May God make us all fruitful in good works to the glory of his Name!

Finally the vine warns of a disunion. Jesus says that without him or separated from him we can do nothing good at all. He goes on to speak of branches which are cast off and dried up and fit only to be burned. Jesus is telling us that just as the man who keeps vines will cut out the dead branches so he will reject those who belong to the church on earth but yet are not true believers.

Have you been baptised? Do you go to Sabbath School? Are you learning the Catechism? These are all good things but we must not rest in them. Sadly many who have been blessed with godly parents and a good upbringing do not truly repent of their sin and trust in Christ for salvation. Though they may attend church all their lives Jesus will have to say to them at the judgment day, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt.25:41).

The vinedresser values the living branches and prunes them so that they become more fruitful. So it is with God and his people. Whatever trials and troubles we may pass through if we are joined to Christ by faith we shall be kept by him and we shall bear fruit. What is a fruitful believer? Jesus said that it is “he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt.7:21). Let us abide in Christ and follow him!