TRUE VINE- I AM-MY FATHER THE VINE-DRESSER. John15

Our Lord claimed that ‘he was the true vine, with His father the vine-dresser. Valuing their vine crops, Israel understood the language of our Lord. We shall examine the developing processes of the vine as described in the Encarta R Encyclopedia. 1993 1998 Microsoft Corp.

The vine has external branches, visible to the farmer; while there are internal columns of cells, out of view. Our Lord is the Vine, while we are the visible and invisible branches. The main structure is above the ground, interacting in the atmosphere, while the roots lie deep in the soil, supplying the nourishment and fluid for the vine. God’s nature is hidden in eternity. Many of the underground churches in some countries are equally branches as those recognised; but are compelled to secrecy, for their preservation.

The crude sap is drawn into the roots, with urates, phosphates, and fluid, flowing into the main stem. God’s Spirit, the Paraclete, gathers the truths of the word, the Bible, and circulates them into our personal lives. He is our teacher. God’s word moves from cell to cell- into every area of life, eg, family, business, sporting, worship, relaxing.: even as the crude sap. God established the creative wonder of osmosis . , whereby the cell sap equalises the pressure as it moves from one to the next cell. This is like christian fellowship, whereby we enrich each life alongside, imparting something of the life of Christ Jesus.

The sap ascends to the leaves, where chemical changes take place under the influence of light.

In the beginning, God created light,: this interchange is consistent with the operation of His universe. Without which it could not function. Carbon dioxide, formed in the atmosphere from human and animal sources and released in industry is absorbed into the vine. Then the vine releases that life-sparing oxygen in the process of photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis is that chemical reaction, converting light energy to chemical energy. And releasing oxygen, without which our lives hang in the balance; and admitting the carbon dioxide for chemical changes within the vine. Chlorophyll is the pigment in plants which gives them their green colour, absorbing the light essential for photosynthesis.

Here is a remarkable link with the Old Testament high priest, for chlorophyll absorbs mainly red, violet, and blue light, reflecting green light. Red speaks of salvation by blood; violet refers to the kingship of God’s Son; while blue indicates His heavenly nature. The God who created the colours of the sap system, created the high priestly concept. Christ is that Person.

The chlorophyll molecule is large, composed mostly of carbon and hydrogen. At the centre of the molecule is a single atom of magnesium , surrounded by a nitrogen containing group of atoms called a porphyrin ring. Amazingly he structure resembles that of the active constituent of haemoglobin in the blood. That should not surprise, for our mighty God created the haemoglobin, which conveys oxygen to every cell in our body, releasing carbon dioxide to be exhaled from the lungs. Life depends on every breath inhaled and exhaled; while the sap purifies the vine in much the same manner. Intelligent design in all His works.

The Lord told us that ‘You are already clean, because of the word which I have spoken to you.’ (v3) The Bible truth purifies, even as the sap enriches, moving through the vine.

A long chain of carbon and hydrogen atoms proceeds from the central core and attaches the chlorophyll molecule to the inner membrane of the chloroplast, the cell organelle, in which photosynthesis takes place. When this molecule absorbs light, its electrons become excited and move to higher energy levels. This initiates a complex chemical reaction in the chloroplast enabling the energy to be stored in chemical bonds. This is so complex, it could never have occurred accidentally; or been perpetuated ; only as structured by the Master Biochemist.

Our Lord added, ‘ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in ME. (v5) The vine exists through the chemical process; so do we in the spiritual. Chlorophyll is found in 75% of green plants.

God made provision for the seasons, for in autumn, chlorophyll wanes in the leaves of trees, while other pigments predominate.. ’Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.’ (v2 ) Our Lord leads us through the times when the sap of His Spirit should flow more freely; but He longs for us to experience the free, unhindered flow of the Life of the eternal One.

The sap changes as it becomes elaborate. Carbon dioxide is absorbed from the atmosphere with nitrogen ( 80% of our air ). Organic compounds are now formulated in the sap. The sugars ( C6 H12 O6) nourish every cell in the plant, even as our beloved Lord nourishes every member of His body. Our Lord said, ’If you abide in me, and My words ( His elaborated sap ) abide in you, you will ask what you will, and it shall be done for you.’’ (v7)

The processed sap contains, ‘ amino acids, NH3, sugars and plant hormones. The amino acids, source of nitrogen, are building blocks for cell production. The hormones supply the growth and fruit in its season. God’s plan for the vine was beauty, growing and producing a harvest of succulent fruit. ‘I know My plans for you- plans of good not evil’. The outward branches shoot, producing leaves, buds, and ultimately fruit, which the sun will mature. The fruit is life-enriching, and nourishing. All the joy of the harvest gathering.

Ethyl alcohol, C5H12OH is not present in this life-giving process, but is the artefact of fallen man. John 15 has its warnings as well as glorious promises of our sweet growth in the Lord.

These secret processes, revealed by the noble research of the biologists, have uncovered the concealed progression of a mighty Creator and Developer of His universe. In viewing hills covered with vines, and recalling these astonishing activities in every plant; I marvel at My beloved Omnipotent Lord, who created all things by His mighty power. Millions of believers in numerous countries, of varying cultures, and generations of believers, display these marvellous works of the Omniscient vine-dresser. I am compelled to cry, ‘Great is the Lord; and greatly to be praised; and His greatness id unsearchable.’

God’s word preserves within us the fruit of heavenly truth. Our remaining in Christ and HE in us allows the sap ( or essence ) of His overflowing life to pass through every cell of our being, sprouting the branch and the glorious harvest of fruit. ’By this, My father is glorified, that you bear much fruit.’ So shall you be My disciples.’(v8 ) Are you His ?

Click on God’s Plan - read it in your mother tongue - Make sure you are in the TRUE VINE.

The account of the life-giving sap in John 15 is paralleled in the letter to the Ephesian church 3:14-21 It commences with the Creator, the ‘Father of our Lord Jesus Christ’ by whom God made the world, and from Whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. ; including the secret role of the vine. (v14 )

God is seen as the source of all life, ‘that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.’ (v16) The sap in the vine, at first crude and then elaborated, constitutes the wealth or riches of His glory

( certainly in creation ) . The Lord has strengthened the natural vine with His infinite wisdom and might, operating as the Holy Spirit moves within our spiritual lives. (v16)

Tozer wrote of the ‘Riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles which is ‘Christ in you the Hope of glory.’ ( Colossians 1:27 ) It was the driving force in his teaching and writing, unfolding the mystery of indwelling deity. No miracle of transformation compares with the Lord Jesus coming into our lives and making His home in our complex lives.

Only with the indwelling Christ can we grasp ’With all the saints how wide, long, deep and high and the knowledge of the love of god which passes knowledge.’ (v19 ) the ultimate purpose is to be ’filled with al the fullness of God.’. the production of glucose, the amino acids and the hormones in the sap illutrate how the fullness f the Lord will permeate our entire being.. Mothe/fthers see the evidence in the transformed life of the child; the employer is impressed with the godly behaviour of the Christ0fille dlife; husbands and wives enter into a sweet , secret hoy union as the ’fullness of the God Is effec5tive.

Paul closes the chapte with a benediction, ’Now to Him, who is able to do exceedingly abundantly ( fighting for adequate words ) above all tha twe could ask or think, according to the power tha tworks in us.’(v20) consider the osmosis, photosynthesis, exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen, the release of complex, plant hormones, the buiding of millions of cells, the budding and fruitage and the ripening processes- all are parables of the continuing work of Christ in our lives. The power working within produces this amazing harvest.

The glory is all His, and must not be touched by fallen man; ’To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.’ (v21)