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Growing as a vine. Hos. 14:7c The Lord Jesus used the simile of the vine as a reference to Himself, as the true vine and His kingdom. John 15:1 We then see a Messianic flavor to these words found in Hosea. In the prophecies Jacob made over his sons he spoke of a the vine being a part of the future experience of one who would come from Judah. Gen. 49:10 According to Strongís dictionary He, that is Shiloh (tranquil), is an epithet of the Messiah. The roots of the Lord Jesus were not in Aaron, the high priest but His linage was of Judah. Heb. 7:14 Thus, the words of Jacob were fulfilled. He introduced the kingdom of God and the people of the Lord were gathered unto Him. He is the great and eternal King.
It was most unfortunate that the people of that day misunderstood the prophecies of His coming and anticipated that He would free them from Roman rule and establish their own kingdom. Acts 1:6 Jesus had spoken very plainly that His kingdom was and is not of this world. Not until the millennium will He establish His kingdom on the earth and that is a entirely different order and atmosphere, it is spiritual, not like todayís political order. His kingdom is a heavenly kingdom on a renovated earth. Those who are in it will have taken part in the translation or the resurrection of the righteous which will occur at the time of His second coming, (Rev. 20:4) at the close of the tribulation period. Rev. 20:6.
In his prophecy Jacob mentioned the foal as a sign of the visitation of Shiloh. Jesus entered Jerusalem with great fanfare. The people flocked around Him crying out Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. He came riding a colt (Mt. 21:9), binding His colt unto the vine, (Israel), (Gen. 49:11). He came to His own. John 1:11 In spite of all the celebration, in just a brief period of time they were to turn on Him and reject Him. They did not receive Him. But, He then tied His colt to the choice vine. Gen. 49:11 A rag tag people of all nations who are the true branches of the vine of the Lord. Those who believe on Him are empowered to become the sons of God. John 1:12.
Jesus clearly stated that He is the vine, the roots and the trunk creating growth and strength to the branches. John 15:5 Supplying sustenance to the whole of the vine. Paul discovered the secret of the revelation of the life of Christ which is to be manifest in everyone who really serves the Lord. He had consecrated his life to Christ until he could testify that he had been crucified with Christ. That is, he no longer desired the things of the flesh. They had been nailed to the tree, with Christ. The life that he lived was the life of Christ. Jesus had become all and in all to him. Gal. 2:20 He has set the example, if we desire a higher and more spiritual life it is there for all who will make the same consecration.