JOHN 15:1-2, 4-5 I AM THE TRUE VINE, and MY FATHER is THE GARDENER. HE lops off every branch that doesn't produce. And, HE prunes those branches that bear fruit for even larger crops...Take care to live in ME, and let ME live in you. For a branch can't produce fruit when severed from the vine. Nor can you be fruitful apart from ME. [Living Bible translation]
Summary: When Moses had his burning bush encounter with GOD and received GOD's orders to go to Pharaoh and bring HIS the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses asked GOD what he should say when Pharaoh asked GOD's name. GOD told Moses: "I AM WHO I AM." When Moses went to Pharaoh, he was to tell him "I AM has sent me to you."
In John 15, after the Passover supper, when JESUS was giving HIS disciples their instructions and preparing them for HIS death on the cross and for life thereafter, JESUS described HIMSELF in a number of "I AM" statements. In John 14:6, JESUS said: "I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE." In John 14:10, HE said: "I AM IN THE FATHER, and THE FATHER IN ME." In John 15:1, JESUS said: "I AM THE TRUE VINE and MY FATHER THE GARDENER"
John 15:1 is a wonderful allegory, i.e., an expanded metaphor where a comparison is made between two objects (e.g. here JESUS and vine; GOD and gardener; humanity and branches) to illustrate, teach or provide a prosaic narrative. In describing HIMSELF as THE TRUE VINE, JESUS illustrates the necessity of abiding in HIM. It is only by means of the vine that the branches receive nutrients, water, and life. Separate a branch from its vine and the branch quickly will wither and die. Likewise, with JESUS; apart from HIM, we also wither and die. HE gives us life.
The FATHER, the GARDENER, prunes the branches so that branches will bear fruit. Although pruning may look "harsh" from the branches "point of view," in the end the pruning produces results. The branches produce fruit. Branches that do nothing are useless and are lopped off. Fruitfulness cannot occur apart from THE VINE—and THE VINE is JESUS CHRIST.
GRAPES
Grapes are often referred to as "the fruit of the vine." They have been around for a long time and they have a rich history. There is evidence that grapes were cultivated in Asia as early as 5000 B.C. See, www.whfoods.com and they have been found in the hieroglyphics of Egyptian tombs. Noah planted a vineyard. Genesis 9:20.
The health benefits of grapes are many:
- Grapes protection against heart disease and
- Protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation; LDL is often called "bad cholesterol." Cholesterol is a fat like substance found in the body's cells. The body needs cholesterol to work right. Too much cholesterol, especially the bad type, can result in buildup and plaque in the artery walls, which can lead to blockage, reduced blood flow and heart disease).
It is interesting that most of the health benefits in grapes are most concentrated in the skins, stems and seeds of grapes rather than their juicy middle sections. See. www.whfoods.com.
Grapes may also help with high blood pressure and heart disease if you eat a salty diet. See, "Grapes May Fight High Blood Pressure: Study Shows Antioxidants in Grapes May Be a Weapon in Blood Pressure Battle, by Bill Hendrick, WedMD Health News, October 29, 2008, reviewed by Elizabeth Klodas, MD. In a study published in the October 2008 issue of the Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences, scientists found that flavonoids, found in the skin, flesh and seeds of grapes, may be the substances that provide the beneficial effects they found in their study of laboratory rats eating table grapes. After feeding these rats, red, green and black regular table grapes in powdered form, the scientist found:
After 18 weeks, rats that ate the grape-enriched powder had lower blood pressure, better heart function, and reduced inflammation throughout their bodies than comparable rodents that didn't receive the mixture. Rats on salty diets plus hydralazine, a blood pressure medicine, had lower blood pressure, but their hearts weren't as protected from damage as the animals fed grapes.
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Although the researchers emphasized that the best advice for people with high blood pressure problems is still to cut back on the amount of salt they ingest, the research involving the mice is supportive of the importance of how a diet including grapes and other fruits high in antioxidant phytochemicals show promise. These and other studies also consistently show the importance of maintaining a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, particularly as people age. The research scientist noted they would never tell anyone to throw away their high blood pressure pills (if they have been prescribed high blood pressure medication) and to just eat grapes. Rather, they remind us that diet is important.
A PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE
Many people are seeking a purpose driven life. Other people, believing they are "past their prime," "retired," just "kick back" or "relax." Still others think that they have done their share of work and others should "step up and take over." And there are others who just want to do nothing, sit on the sidelines or allow the whole process to "shut down." John 15: 1-4, instructs us to that our purpose is to "produce fruit." No one is excluded, no school is excluded, no church is excluded, no city is excluded, no country is excluded, nor any nation. But, we must "take care" to live in HIM and let HIM live in us.
Today or this week as you enjoy a few grapes from a vine, pray that we all abide in HIM, pray that we are all fruitful. Then pray for our schools, our churches, our cities, our country (especially our leaders) and all nations. Pray for all GODS many, many, branches.
And, always----take care, and Be Blessed!
