John 15:1, 2 I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. This is one of several passages in our Lord's discourses in which he designates his Father a Husbandman, a Householder, a Vine-dresser. Such similitudes are helpful to us in arriving at an understanding of the relations of the Father both to our Savior and to ourselves. I. THE DIVINE HUSBANDMAN'S CARE OF THE VINE AND THE VINEYARD. 1. He plants the Vine. That is to say, he appoints that his own beloved Son shall assume our human nature, and shall introduce into this world the principle of spiritual life, with all its fruitful and blessed results. 2. He watches over the Vine which he plants. "I the Lord do keep the vineyard; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day" (Isaiah 27:3). As Jehovah cared for and tended the vine which was brought out of Egypt, for which he prepared room, and which he caused to take deep root, so that it filled the land; so he watched over and blessed "the true Vine" which he with his right hand planted in the soil of earth. II. THE DIVINE HUSBANDMAN'S TREATMENT OF THE VINE-BRANCHES. 1. Of those which are unfruitful. As the worthless branches of the vine are removed, cast into the fire, and burned, so is it with the lifeless and only apparent members of the organism constituted in the Person and ministry of Jesus Christ. The fate of the Jews is the best illustration of our Lord's meaning; they were like a branch that brings forth wild grapes, bitter clusters. 2. Of those which are fruitful. It might be supposed that for such, seeing that they are the occasion of satisfaction, there can be no severity. But as the vine is always carefully, closely, and unsparingly pruned by the skilful gardener, so is it with the faithful and fruitful Christian. Divine discipline is a fact, and it is the best and indeed the only explanation of much of human suffering. Religion does not make the sorrows of life, but it explains them, and it gives strength to bear them, and wisdom to profit by them. III. THE DIVINE HUSBANDMAN'S ULTIMATE PURPOSES. 1. The fruitfulness of all the living branches of the living Vine. 2. The promotion of his own glory; for the result is such as to bring out clearly the wisdom and the power of the Lord of all. - T. Parallel Verses KJV: I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. |
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