Growing in the Vine

The Vinedresser, the Vine and the True Vine (1-2)

The Vinedresser (vine-grower)

The Father

Judge of those who do not bear fruit

Gardner of those who do bear fruit

The OT Background

Ezekiel 19:10–14 ESV

10 Your mother was like a vine in a vineyard planted by the water, fruitful and full of branches by reason of abundant water. 11 Its strong stems became rulers’ scepters; it towered aloft among the thick boughs; it was seen in its height with the mass of its branches. 12 But the vine was plucked up in fury, cast down to the ground; the east wind dried up its fruit; they were stripped off and withered. As for its strong stem, fire consumed it. 13 Now it is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty land. 14 And fire has gone out from the stem of its shoots, has consumed its fruit, so that there remains in it no strong stem, no scepter for ruling. This is a lamentation and has become a lamentation.

Hosea 10:1–2 ESV

1 Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; as his country improved, he improved his pillars. 2 Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. The Lord will break down their altars and destroy their pillars.

It’s an oversimplification to say only this, but what is made clear these two passages is that Israel, who was the vine of God failed to bear good fruit, and the consequences for this was His judgement.

The True Vine

Now in sharp contrast, Jesus declares that He is the true vine. Israel failed to be the vine that God created her to be, but Jesus has come, the One to whom Israel has pointed and He brings good fruit.

So Christ, as our True Vine has born the good fruit the Father demands, so for everyone who is in Christ, we have assurance that we have the Father as our Gardner and not our Condemner.

The church is the branches that bear fruit and whom the Father prunes.

Back to OT imagery

Psalm 80:7–8 ESV

7 Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved! 8 You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.

Psalm 80:14–17 ESV

14 Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine, 15 the stock that your right hand planted, and for the son whom you made strong for yourself. 16 They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down; may they perish at the rebuke of your face! 17 But let your hand be on the man of your right hand, the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!

Christopher Ash:

Psalm 80:14-17 is a prayer that the vine will be restored, and it suggests that this restoration is through a King or leader who embodies in Himself all that Israel, the vine, was called to be. It should be no surprise, then, when a man who is “made strong” for God the Father, who is the man of the Father’s right hand, who is the Son of Man, Israel personified, should call Himself, the true vine.

Praying Together

Praising God that Christ has come as the True Vine that has born good fruit.

Rejoicing that we, His church, are the branches connected to the Vine and receive the sanctifying care of the Vinedresser

Praying we would have the comfort and assurance of being a true branch in the true vine

Praying that we would seek the Lord to bear good fruit