"The branch has but one object for which it exists, one purpose to which it is entirely given up, to bear the fruit the vine wishes to bring forth." ~Excerpt from Chapter 3, "The Branch"
Written by Andrew Murray in the 1800s and reprinted in 2007 by Moody Classics, this short expository on the parable of the Vine and Branches found in John 15 is a must read for 21st century believers today. Full of rich imagery and straightforward reading, The True Vine provokes deeper thought into the meaning and application of abiding in Christ.
We live in a world where we are connected to the internet and technology all the time. Our society, culture, and world at large is completely built and dependent upon it, and therefore many of us have come to rely upon this scientific advancement for just about everything. Consequently, how much more crucial is this message of total reliance and connection upon Christ for everything including life itself! We are nothing in and of ourselves. Even though we may think that we’ve accomplished something and made something of ourselves--whether it be through the number of social “friends” and followers on social media or number of zeros contained within each paycheck--at the end of the day, without Christ, we’ve achieved nothing. And this is the truth Murray keeps coming back around to: the branch by itself is worthless and dead; life, fruit, and growth is only found by abiding in the Vine.
Drawing on the biological science of the natural vine and applying it to our relationship to Christ as branches of the True Vine, Andrew Murray goes through the parable verse by verse and often phrase by phrase and looks at them from various angles and perspectives. Below are a few of my favorite excerpts:
Drawing on the biological science of the natural vine and applying it to our relationship to Christ as branches of the True Vine, Andrew Murray goes through the parable verse by verse and often phrase by phrase and looks at them from various angles and perspectives. Below are a few of my favorite excerpts:
“The branch does indeed receive from the vine sap for its own life, by which it grows thicker and stronger. But this supply for its own maintenance is entirely subordinate to its fulfillment of the purpose of its existence—bearing fruit. … Your first aim in life, your first aim every day, should be to know how Christ desires to carry out His purpose in you.” ~Excerpts from Chapter 4, “The Fruit”
“Consider a moment what this pruning or cleansing is. It is not the removal of weeds or thorns or anything from outside that may hinder the growth. No; it is the cutting off of the long shoots of the previous year, the removal of something that comes from within, that has been produced by the life of the vine itself. It is the removal of something that is proof of the vigor of its life. … The branches, sometimes eight and ten feet long, are cut down close to the stem, and nothing is left but just one or two inches of wood, enough to bear the grapes. … All that is to be left of us is just enough to receive the power of the life-giving sap of the Holy Spirit.” ~Excerpts from Chapter 6, “The Cleansing”
“This is the highest measure of love: When a man gives his life he holds nothing back; he gives all he has and is. It is this that our Lord Jesus wants to make clear to us concerning His mystery of the Vine; with all He has He has placed Himself at our disposal. He wants us to count Him our very own; He wants to be wholly our possession, that we may be wholly His possession. He gave His life for us in death not merely as a passing act that when accomplished was done with; no, but to make Himself ours for eternity. Life for life; He gave His life for us to possess that we might give our life for Him to possess.”
~Excerpt from Chapter 26, “Christ’s Friendship: Its Origin"
“Consider a moment what this pruning or cleansing is. It is not the removal of weeds or thorns or anything from outside that may hinder the growth. No; it is the cutting off of the long shoots of the previous year, the removal of something that comes from within, that has been produced by the life of the vine itself. It is the removal of something that is proof of the vigor of its life. … The branches, sometimes eight and ten feet long, are cut down close to the stem, and nothing is left but just one or two inches of wood, enough to bear the grapes. … All that is to be left of us is just enough to receive the power of the life-giving sap of the Holy Spirit.” ~Excerpts from Chapter 6, “The Cleansing”
“This is the highest measure of love: When a man gives his life he holds nothing back; he gives all he has and is. It is this that our Lord Jesus wants to make clear to us concerning His mystery of the Vine; with all He has He has placed Himself at our disposal. He wants us to count Him our very own; He wants to be wholly our possession, that we may be wholly His possession. He gave His life for us in death not merely as a passing act that when accomplished was done with; no, but to make Himself ours for eternity. Life for life; He gave His life for us to possess that we might give our life for Him to possess.”
~Excerpt from Chapter 26, “Christ’s Friendship: Its Origin"
In closing, I would encourage all Christians to read this power-packed little book, and especially those following the John 7-21 Study with me. You may gain fresh and deeper insights in the allegory of the Vine and Its branches. May you be blessed, encouraged, and exhorted by the wisdom gleaned by one of God’s saints and a fellow branch from the 1800s!
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