John 15:1 - Homilies By B. Thomas

The vine and the Husbandman.

I. CHRIST AS THE TRUE VINE . We have here:

1. The idea of an importation . It is a foreign vine, and not indigenous to this soil; for it is the "true vine," and whatever is absolutely true must come from the other side, from the sphere where all is absolutely true and real. This world lost its truth when it severed itself by sin from heaven. Then this plant withered, and would not grow; but God left not the earth, but opened a new communication between it and heaven, and proceeded to create a new earth and a new heaven, and make all things new, a new life, a new vine, a new man—the germ of a new and true vegetation altogether. Jesus. as the true vine, is evidently not entirely the produce of this world, but the produce of another clime and a Diviner Soil; but still the produce of a Diviner soil is transplanted and wedded to this, so as to make it most natural and real. "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." The Divine vine was planted in the soil of humanity, so as to make it true, whether looked upon from the Divine or human point of view.

2. The fulfillment era natural symbol .

3. Fruitfulness .

II. THE FATHER AS THE HUSBANDMAN . "And my Father," etc . We have here:

1. Divine ownership . The husbandman is not always the owner of the vine; but in this case he is. He is the Owner and the Husbandman. Christ, the true vine, confesses this with delight. The vine owns the branches and the fruit; but the Divine Husbandman owns the vine altogether. "We are Christ's but Christ is God's."

2. Divine and closest relationship . "My Father," etc . There is more than mere ownership here—the closest and dearest relationship. The Son and the Father are one, in nature, essence , life, purposes, and will; so that between Jesus as the vine and his Father as the Husbandman there is the closest unity, and a relationship which cannot exist in any other 'husbandry.

3. Divine cultivation . Much depends upon proper cultivation with regard to the prosperity and fruition of the vine. This requires a good husbandman. If left to itself, undressed and uncultivated, deterioration and even barrenness will soon follow. The "true vine" will not suffer on this account; it has not been left to strangers and to the fortunes of mere self-interest , but is under the constant and tender and most efficient care of the Divine Father. No one knows but Christ himself what he owes, in his mediatorial life and work, to the Father; to him he attributes his all—his life, his success, his support, triumph, and glory. He refers here to his union with the Father as a most important fact. "My Father is the Husbandman." The true vine has a true Husbandman; this will ensure for the vine and the branches the highest cultivation and the most glorious results.—B.T.