Living in the Vine 1

The Gardener

This week we begin the serialisation of a new devotional, Living in the Vine, by Sarah Winbow. It is based on John 15:1-1-17 and will be unpacked over the coming weeks.

Introduction

I wonder if you have ever visited Hampton Court Palace and marvelled at what is reputed to be the largest grapevine in the world? It was planted there in 1768 by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, so is more than 250 years old. Its trunk measures a staggering four metres wide, with the longest rod 36.5 metres long. It is so huge that, in 1969 when a new glass house was required, it had to be constructed around the existing vine rather than the other way around. 

The structure of the vine and branches influences the vine’s ability to withstand environmental stresses such as wind, rain, and pests. A strong, well-structured vine is more likely to survive and thrive in challenging conditions, actually leading to the production of more fruit. So, there are valuable lessons in the analogy of the vine that may well better equip us to live – survive and thrive ourselves – through the challenging context of the days we are in.

The Gardener

Read Isaiah 5:1-7; Ezekiel 15: 1-6; Psalm 80:8-9; John 15:1.

In the Slovenian town of Maribor, there is a vine reputed to be more than four hundred years old which means it is even older than the one at Hampton Court. Incredibly, both vines still bear quality fruit into their very old age. 

Remarkable as each of these structures is, each one began with the planting of a seed or a cutting which could only grow and develop into its full potential through the ministrations of the successive gardeners over many generations whose job has been to lovingly tend, nurture, prune and do their utmost to provide the optimum conditions to ensure that the vines and their branches continue to be healthy and bear as much fruit as possible. 

The tenderness of the gardener’s care is a beautiful analogy of the enduring Father-heart of God.

The tenderness of the gardener’s care is a beautiful analogy of the enduring Father-heart of God, who is described as such in John’s gospel. In fact, there is a ‘seed’ – a longing planted in His heart – for the restoration of the intimate relationship He intended for Adam and Eve but which was lost through The Fall. As believers, we realise our own in-built need for a relationship with God, but do we ever stop to consider how much He longs for a personal relationship with us even more! 

Eventually God chose the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in whom He planted the ‘seed’ of the Kingdom, with the sole objective of having a faithful relationship with the nation of Israel, whom the Bible describes as a Vine. 

Naturally, the wood of the vine is of no practical use at all. It cannot be used for carpentry, tools or structures due to its brittleness and lack of durability.  This is a sad indictment on disobedient Israel. Ezekiel writes: 

“Is wood ever taken from it to make anything useful? Do they make pegs from it to hang things on? And after it is thrown on the fire as fuel and the fire burns both ends and chars the middle, is it then useful for anything? If it was not useful for anything when it was whole, how much less can it be made into something useful when the fire has burned it and it is charred?”

What a scathing judgement on God’s precious dearly-loved Vine. Yet He did not, and has not, given up on them: He sent Jesus! Through Him, the relationship with God was opened out beyond Israel to include whomsoever believes in Him – Jew or Gentile.

Yet He did not, and has not, given up on them: He sent Jesus!

Additional reading: Isaiah 27; Zechariah 8; Galatians 4:4-5.

Prayer Time

Think over what you have learned today concerning the enduring love and faithful heart of Father God towards His Vine.

• What does this picture of the gardener say to you?
• What hope is there in Isaiah 27 and Zechariah 8 for Israel?
• What does this hope teach us about our own relationship with God?

Spend the remainder of your time today in thanksgiving, praise and worship. Consider God’s enduring loving kindness and faithfulness towards Israel and the difference and possibilities Jesus brought for all of us to have a relationship with God. 

Meditate on the wonder of His Father-heart for you. Thank Him for also including you in His long-term plans.

^{Image by David Kohler on unsplash.com}