The vine was frequently used as a symbol for Israel (Psalm 80:8-16; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jer 2:21 etc), with Isaiah 5 probably most in mind. In Isaiah 5 Israel is viewed as a disappointment, despite being perfectly looked after by God, she failed to produce good fruit. Conversely, Jesus is the true vine.
There is a difference between cutting off and pruning. Cutting off is an act of judgement on those who do not bear fruit. Pruning is done on fruitful branches to ensure continued and increased fruitfulness. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. We draw out sustenance from the main vine, ie from Jesus. v2 also explains the repsonse of the Jews to Jesus. Those who were already of hard of heart would be cut off, those who genuinely loved God would become even more fruitful by believing in Jesus.
The words of Jesus had cleaned the disciples, they were already pruned. But it was essential to remain in Jesus, being in Jesus is the only way to be fruitful and to remain fruitful. If a natural branch is separated from the main tree it very quickly withers and dies. No matter how fruitful it was before, it will become utterly fruitless and dead.
Conversely, if we do remain in Christ we will become increasingly fruitful, and our prayers will be answered. Often people ask about the problem of unanswered prayer, but this really isn't a problem. The promises on prayer in John's gospel are given in the context of us doing the will of God, of us doing the works of God. They are promise that we will receive exactly the same support and co-operation from the Father as Jesus received. Jesus is an example of what we can become.
There is a difference between cutting off and pruning. Cutting off is an act of judgement on those who do not bear fruit. Pruning is done on fruitful branches to ensure continued and increased fruitfulness. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. We draw out sustenance from the main vine, ie from Jesus. v2 also explains the repsonse of the Jews to Jesus. Those who were already of hard of heart would be cut off, those who genuinely loved God would become even more fruitful by believing in Jesus.
The words of Jesus had cleaned the disciples, they were already pruned. But it was essential to remain in Jesus, being in Jesus is the only way to be fruitful and to remain fruitful. If a natural branch is separated from the main tree it very quickly withers and dies. No matter how fruitful it was before, it will become utterly fruitless and dead.
Conversely, if we do remain in Christ we will become increasingly fruitful, and our prayers will be answered. Often people ask about the problem of unanswered prayer, but this really isn't a problem. The promises on prayer in John's gospel are given in the context of us doing the will of God, of us doing the works of God. They are promise that we will receive exactly the same support and co-operation from the Father as Jesus received. Jesus is an example of what we can become.
No comments:
Post a Comment