The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 278

R,1vionr and Lord; and it is the part of all who receive this witness in the power of the snme Spirit to repeat 1Lnd extend the testimony.-T. Var. 1. Tho Vine and the Husbandman. I. CnnrBT AB THE TRUl!l VmY.. 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," a.nd whatever is absolutely true must come from the olher side, from the sphere where a.11 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, aud proceeded to create a new earth and a new heaven, and make all things new, a new lifo, a now vine, a. new man-the germ of a. new and true vegetation altogether. Jesus, as the true Vine, is evidontly not entirely the produce of this world, but the produce of another clime and o 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." 'fhe 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 fulfilment of a natural symbol. ( 1) Nature is full of Divine symJJolism. In the mineral kingdom there are the pearl, the rock, and the stone; in the animal kingdom there a.re the lion and the lamb; in the material kingdom there are the stars and the sun: and in the vegetable kingdom there are the rose, the lily, and the vine. Judaism was a system of Divine symbolism, and shadows of good things to come; but there is an older, more original and permanent system of Divine symbolism than this--tbe system of nature, which is full and vital of Divine ideas, images, and shadows. (2) Christ is the Fulfilment of all this. He is the Pearl of great price, the precious Stone, and the Rock of ages. He is the Star of Jacob and the Sun of Righteousness; the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Lamb of God; the Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the valleys, and the true Vine. He is the Truth of everything in nature which has in it the sha,low of truth. He is the Truth of the vine. In him the natural vine finds the fulfilment of its prophecies-its highest meaning and Divinest significance. (3) He is the real, and the only real, Fulfilment of this. Others tried, but failed. Israel, under the great Hus- bandman, had a trial, It was a vine, but failed to interpret and embody the vine-ideal -'-failed to speak the vine-language, and failed to live the vine-life. The vine still cried for a truer fulfilment a.nd interpretation. Christ came and said, "I am the truo Vine," and his Person, life, and history fully confirm his claim. The vine is satisfied and highly honoured. 3. Fruitfulne.ss.. (1) This was his most distinguishing feature. The vine is o most fruitful plant. Its wood is not of much value. Apart from its fruition, it is insignificant; but its fruitfulness is marvellous. Think of Christ as Jesus of Nazareth, the carpenter's Son; he appears as a root out of a dry ground, without form or comeliness. But his glory was in his fruitfulness. He lived, not for himself, but for others-for God, for man, and for the universe. (2) Fruitfulness of the highest kind and most satisfying nature. His fruit was Divine and spiritual, satisfying the spiritual nature of ma.n, In this the natural vine is incomplete, and, compared with Christ, false; for nothing is absolutely true in relation to man which does not supply and satisfy the whole of his being. 'fhe vine can only partly supply and satisfy man's physical nature and wants ; but Christ, in his vicarious life and death, satisfies his spiritual nature, and develops it into final perfection. (3) Fruitfulness of the highest kind and most satisfying nature in abundance. 'l.'hink of his earthly life in relation to God; in it was perfectly manifested obedience, filial love, and submission to the Divine will in all things. 'l'hink of his life in rebtion to men with whom he had to do; his whole human life, from the cradle to the grave, was full of grace and truth-full of gmcious words and mighty and benevolent deeds. Think of his representative and official life as the Author of salvation. As a Prophet, he shed Divine light on all subjects pertaining to God and man which ore essential to his spiritual advancement and happiness. As o King, he reigned with authority, yet with equity and mercy within and in perfect harmony with the laws of the soul and those of God. And aa a Hicrh Priest be offered himself as nn infinite atoning Sacrifice for the sins of the world. With this j~stice was satisfied, the Law honoured, and all the Divine attributes crowned with glory and harmony ; while the vilest of sinners plucked from the branches of the •• true Vine" rich clusters-of pardon, justification, sanctification, spiritual life, as we\ 1 288 THE GOSPEL AOOORDlNG TO ST. JOHN. [cu. xv. 1-27.