Good morning,
In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven statements beginning with the words I am. Each of these “I am” proclamations furthers our understanding of Jesus’ ministry in the world. They also link Jesus to the Old Testament revelation of God.
In the Old Testament, God revealed His name to Moses: “I AM THAT I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me unto you’” (Exodus 3:14). Thus, in Judaism, “I AM” is unquestionably understood as a name for God. Whenever Jesus made an “I am” statement in which He claimed attributes of deity, He was identifying Himself as God.
Jesus states, I am the bread of life, light of the world, the door, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth, and the life, and the true vine.
This week we will at each of these I AM statements.
“I am the true vine.”
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.2 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.3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.4 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.5 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 15:1-5)
The entire chapter of John 15 is about the true vine. In John 15:1 and John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the true vine.”
There was no particular occasion for Jesus to say this like the other “I am statements.” He was emphasizing in general that He is the vine and we are the branches. He added that in order to bear fruit, we must remain in Him.
Once we have trusted Christ as Savior and Lord, it is our desire to cling close to or abide in Christ. Jesus, the vine, has all the nutrients we as believers need. Jesus teaches us through His word and encourages and challenges us through the Holy Spirit. We are complete in Him as long as we abide in the vine.
Are we vine clingers today?
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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