THE TRUE VINE, THE LORD JESUS. The Lord Jesus introduced Himself as the true, the genuine vine. The source of strength and life to the branches, the leaves and the fruit. The position of the Father is that of the husbandman, the farmer, the one who watches over and cares for the vine. John 15:1 This true vine, in contrast to the vine upon which He had bestowed much effort. It was the choicest of vines. He planted it in a most fruitful hill. Built a fence for protection. Gathered up the stones. Constructed a tower from which to guard it, and provided a winepress to fully complete it. All that, only to have it produce wild grapes. Fruit that was unfit for consumption. All this directed at the disobedient of Jerusalem and Judah. Isa. 5:1-2 They were His vine and His planting but they forsook Him. Now the TRUE vine has come and the Lord is building His vineyard.
JESUS, THE STOCK OF THE VINE. That from which, yearly, the branches sprout and spread out to create a vine bearing fruit. Jesus identified His followers as the branches of the vine. John 15:5a In His discourse He immediately drew attention to the necessity of the branches being fruitful or they would be removed. Likewise to the fact that the branch which did bear fruit was subject to pruning, cleansing, or having all suckers removed. Growth that is a hindrance and has no relationship to a good harvest. John 15:2 The Word of the Lord is the pruning knife in the Fathers hand. Its cleansing power is absolute when it is obeyed and we fully respond to its instructions. Jesus declared them to be clean through His Word, which He has spoken to them. How marvelous is the work of the Spirit through the Word in purifying the heart from all sin.
THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE TRUE VINE. The relationship of all relationships is that which exists between the vine, Christ, and the branches, His church. The church is to find an abiding place, a place to dwell and to continue to be at home in that blessed residence. More importantly is the promise that HE would be present and continue to dwell in the vine. There must be this unity in order for the branches to be productive. The branch separated from the vine is cut off from any possibility of bearing fruit. Apart from Him, nothing can be accomplished. When He abides in us, and we abide in Him, there are no impossibilities. How well we need to learn the lesson of His abiding presence. John 15:4-5 How pathetic are those who fail to maintain fruitfulness, they are cut off and destroyed. Not a pleasant prospective. John 15:6 This is the key to receiving an answer to our prayers. Live for Christ, live with Christ and greatest of all have Him continually dwelling within. It is here, through His presence and a comprehension of the promises of His Word that we ask, according to His will and receive an answer to our prayers. The extent of His promise is unlimited, ask what ye will, and ye shall receive.John 15:7