Branches—We Must Stay (15:1-11) - part 1 of 4

Branches—We Must Stay (15:1-11)

The cultivation of vineyards was an important part of the life and economy of Israel. There was a vine of gold on Herod’s temple. When our Lord used this image, He was not introducing anything new; it was familiar to every Jew. There are four things in this allegory that we need to understand if we are to profit from His teaching.

#1 The vine. There are really three different vines in Scripture. First, the former vine was the nation of Israel (see Ps. 80:8–19; Isa. 5:1–7; Jer. 2:21; Ezek. 19:10–14; Hosea 10:1). God “transplanted” Israel into Canaan in a marvelous act of grace and gave the nation every possible benefit. What more could I have done to my vineyard? God asked' (Isa. 5:4). If any country ever had all the ingredients for success, it was Israel.

But the vine brought forth wild grapes! It practiced oppression instead of justice; it brought forth unrighteousness instead of righteousness and the cries of the victims. God had to deal with the nation Israel and chastise it, but even that did not have lasting results. God sent His own Son into the vineyard, but they threw Him out and killed Him (Matt. 21:33–46).

Second, there is also a future vine, “the vine of the earth,” described in Revelation 14:14-20. This vine is the Gentile world system ripening for God’s judgment. The saved are “branches of the vine of heaven,” while the unsaved are “branches of the vine of the earth.” The unsaved look to this world for their sustenance and satisfaction, but believers look to Jesus Christ. When Jesus Christ returns, the “vine of the earth” will be cut down and destroyed.

Third, there is the present Vine, who is the Lord Jesus Christ, and, of course, the vine includes the branches. He is the "true Vine," that is, "the original of which all other vines are a copy." As Christians, we do not live on substitutes! The symbolism of the Vine and branches is similar to that of the Head and the body: we have a living relationship to Christ and are members of Him.

We are united with Christ: a living union so that we may bear fruit; a loving union so that we may enjoy Him; and a lasting union so that we need not be afraid.