influences. In drought they languish, and in the season of rain they revive. It is the same vital fluid also that courses through all the branches, carrying life and fruitfulness to the remotest twig. Nor does it matter how the branches stand in respect to one another: they may be on opposite sides of the trunk, or widely distant; still they belong to the common unity, so long as they have the same origin and start from the same root. II. The vine speaks of cheer. In the parable of the trees, the vine is represented as saying, "Should I leave my wine which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?" The effect of wine upon the body serves to illustrate the effect of grace upon the heart. There is no evil like that of sin, and no wretchedness like that which it produces. But he who drinks the gospel wine finds his soul eased of its burdens, relieved of its sorrows, and quieted of its fears. 12. The vine suggests pruning. This seems to have been the first thought with Jesus in using this figure. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 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." It is a severe process, but it is the Vine-dresser's method and the evidence of His loving care. The withered leaves must be removed, the rank growth cut away, for so we reach our highest thrift and largest fruitfulness. 13. The true vine speaks of that which is genuine and best. There was a species of wild vine that is often referred to in the Old Testament. "Their vine is the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah; their grapes are the grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter: their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps." "I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness." "Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto Me?" Christ is the true vine, chosen, planted, cultivated; the vine of the vineyard, whose fruit is fragrant, luscious, perfect. 14. The vine is a symbol of growth and extension. It is a spreading plant. It sends out its tendrils, and these falling into the ground take root, and grow again. So is it with the true vine. It is full of vigor, and is expansive in its nature. We have divine authority for saying that it will continue to extend itself till it roots out every degenerate plant, and embowers the earth with its luxuriant foliage and precious fruits. We read, "Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: Thou hast cast out the heathen and planted it. Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land. The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars. She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river." "He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit." We know the object of Christ's mission, and we cannot doubt that His church is to grow, and His kingdom extend, till every island is reached, and every region penetrated where sinful men are found. Prophecy shall give place to fulfilment, prediction to fact, prayer be answered, and all the ends of the earth see the salvation of our God. |