Jesus was speaking to his apostles when he said, “I am the One True Vine.” A very short time later, he was standing in judgment in front of the Jewish religious leaders. “The One True Vine” is a name he gave himself in preparation for the impending events of his crucifixion, resurrection and ascension to be with his heavenly Father.
There existed, in this time as today, other vines but none of them led to God. Christ was warning his disciples to beware of false prophets. Between the time he uttered these words and his crucifixion, He must of thought seriously about his purpose on earth. Christ’s birth was no less dramatic than his crucifixion. His influence on the world began when He was born in a stable, of a virgin, the son of God. He was influential even at age 12, when He was questioned by the leaders of the synagogue in Jerusalem.
As the One True Vine, from his birth to this day, all who follow and believe in Him make up the branches that connect to the trunk of the vine. Through faith in the One True Vine, believers reveal and participate in the plans God has for them all along so beautifully illustrated by Jesus’ parable long ago. Today the branches of the vine, attached to Christ through our faith, continue to connect with others and the vine continues to grow.
Tom Bishop
(Tom wrote this for this year’s devotional two weeks before joining the Lord in Heaven.)
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