The True Vine

Tonight I'm going to use an analogy from the Gospel of John. I'll quote a verse and they say a little something about it.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman" (John 15:1).

Like the husbandman of a vineyard, Heavenly Father is the steward of His children. He cultivates, nourishes, and assists everything in the vineyard to reach its potential. Jesus Christ is the true vine--the heart and soul of the vineyard.

"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit" (John 15:2).

Each of us, as the followers of Christ, are compared to branches. Our fruit is our good works that we do as a result of our conversion. And those who are not bearing fruit are taken away. But even those who do bear fruit have a need to be purged, or cleansed, so that they can become even better. This is another example of coming to Christ and then becoming better through Christ.

"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you" (John 15:3).

I think this refers to becoming spiritually clean through the Atonement of our Lord.

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me" (John 15:4).

I found this definition for abide: "to remain, continue, stay." We are instructed to remain, continue, and stay with Christ. And the beautiful promise is that He will remain, continue, and stay with us. Becoming a disciple of Christ requires consistency and commitment. I believe this is what is meant by being faithful.

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5).

This verse is my favorite one. We are reminded that we can only bring forth fruit if we are abiding in the vine, Jesus Christ. I really like the words, "for without me ye can do nothing." I have proven that to myself time and time again. I think my life would be easier if I just remembered and quit trying to be independent.

I'll end tonight with another invitation. This one seems to me to be more of a plea. "Yea, at that day, will they not receive the strength and nourishment from the true vine? Yea, will they not come unto the true fold of God?" (1 Ne 15:15).