As we have recently seen, this word "TRUE" occurs in several other instances in John's Gospel in describing the Lord Jesus. He is the TRUE light (Jn 1:9), He is the TRUE bread (Jn 6:32). He is even elsewhere identified as the "minister of the sanctuary, and of the TRUE tabernacle" (Heb 8:2). The continual usage of this word "TRUE" helps us to better determine its force.
We must realize, however, that Scripture does not necessarily use TRUE as an opposition to that which is false, but rather, as a superior alternative. For example, as the TRUE light, Christ is the more perfect, essential, and enduring reality, of which all other lights were but faint reflections. Christ is the TRUE light in contrast from His forerunner, John, who was but a "lamp" or "light bearer" (Jn 5:35, RSV).
He is the TRUE bread, as contrasted from the mere manna which the fathers ate in the wilderness and died. He is superbly and astoundingly superior to any other "bread" that may have been desired to provide but temporary and lacking sustenance.
And now here, in John 15, we have yet another attribute of the Lord Jesus and His TRUE essential superiority: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit" (Jn 15:1-2).
In what ways is Jesus attributed as a TRUE vine? How is the earthly vine a divine type of heavenly truth? How does Jesus differ from all other, earthly vines? Observe...
(1) He is the authentic vine. In the Old Testament, Israel was also likened to a vine: "Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: Thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it..." (Ps 80:8-9). Again, in Isaiah, we are told "Now will I sing to my well-beloved, a song of my beloved touching His vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill" (5:1). However, such an illustration proved to be a failure. Israel, as the type, had shown itself inconsistent and therefore inauthentic. Jeremiah affirms this truth when, concerning Israel, he says, "Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?" (Jer 2:21). And again Scripture testifies that "Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth fruit unto himself" (Hos 10:1). What a marvelous contrast Jesus presents to us from this failure and degeneracy of the typical people: "I am the TRUE vine" (Jn 15:1). Jesus is the perfect antitype who fulfills all the expectations of the Heavenly Husbandman!
(2) He is the permanent vine. Any earthly vine is 100% dependent upon the earth's natural conditions. Without the proper weather, the vine's connections would utterly fail. And without a natural connection to the vine's produce, any outward bond would dissolve. What a wonderfully sharp contrast to the heavenly TRUE vine! Even though the outward bond that Jesus had procured with His fruit, namely His followers, would soon be dissolved at His death (Zech 13:7), there would always be a divine connection. Because Jesus is the TRUE vine, there existed a much deeper, a more intimate bond between the Vine and its fruit. There existed a spiritual bond, and while this remained, increasing fruitfulness would always be the result, no matter the earthly circumstance!
(3) He is the fruitful vine. His spiritual "wine" is the only real satisfaction that makes glad the heart of God and man (Jdg 9:13; Ps 104:15). Of this true "fruit of the vine" we are continually encouraged to partake: "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price" (Isa 55:1). He is the only Vine that produces wine "most sweet" (Song 5:16). Any other vine's fruit is nothing but a pathetic counterfeit!
Jesus is, once again, proven so much more dignified and renowned than any other mere weeds that may mimic Him. Thank God for the TRUE vine! Let's worship Him today!
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