the true vine

 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser."

(John 15:1 ESV)

Throughout the Old Testament, Israel, God’s people are often depicted as a vine. They had vines on their coins and sculpted vines across the entrance of the temple. More often than not, the prophets talk about the lack of good fruit from the vine. 


What more was there to do for my vineyard,
   that I have not done in it?
When I looked for it to yield grapes,
   why did it yield wild grapes?
(Isaiah 5:4) 

When Jesus calls himself the true vine, he is bearing the fruit that the vinedresser (Father) is looking for. Blessing used to come from being part of Israel, now it comes from being part of him.