I am the true vine (John 15:1)
Amongst the first bible verses I memorized were the metaphoric “I am” sayings that are unique to John’s Gospel. Jesus says: “I am the bread of Life” (6:35) after feeding the 5000, “I am the light of the world” (8:12) after healing the man born blind, “I am the gate” (10: 7) and “I am the Good Shepherd” (10:10) during the feast of Hannukah (when the passage about bad shepherds in Ezekiel 34 was read), “I am the resurrection and the life” (11:25) before raising Lazarus and “I am the way the truth and the life” (14:6) when the disciples are feeling bewildered and lost. Today we read Jesus final “I am” statement “I am the true vine”.
The “I am” sayings are easily remembered because they evoke powerful images. Last week, for example, Benjamin and I were talking about things we fear and he wanted to know what the bible said about fear. I didn’t have to drop too many hints for him to remember the image from last week – the Good Shepherd. That lead us, of course, to the wonderful assurance of Psalm 23. Something we all fear is living a life devoid of purpose and fruitfulness. The “True Vine” provides the “light” we need, leading us in the “Way” of “Resurrection Life”; helping us be true to our purpose: “Growing a Family Aflame, Sharing God’s Love with All”.
God Bless,
Sean