INTRODUCTION
In plant science there is what is known as budding and grafting in agriculture.
Budding [n.]: The act or process of ingrafting one kind of plant upon another stock by inserting a bud under the bark.
In the Bible, the Christians are grafted or budded into the true Vine which is Jesus Christ. The Vine supposed to be the Jews, they failed the Almighty Jehovah. So, Jesus Christ came as the true Vine. Whenever you read the Bible, try to understand the meanings of everything you read. Sometimes things mentioned in the Bible are not literal in its interpretation. Just like when trees are mentioned. trees are often representatives of things
!. they are literal trees 馃尣 馃尣.
- they represent the Jews
- they represent Jesus Christ like this Vine in our text. When the Bible emphasizes on a particular thing, remark such, because something serious is coming out from there as a great lesson.
From the text we have this facts outlined:
1. I AM THE TRUE VINE TREE
Jesus Christ came to this world as the True Vine since the vine which is the Jews have failed the Almighty Jehovah. God used a plan B to achieve His purpose. He sent Jesus Christ as the true Vine.
2. MY FATHER IS THE HUSBANDMAN
The Almighty Jehovah engrafted (i.e. put another kind of tree 馃尣 in the means of budding to grow into production of its own kind while the original tree 馃尣 produces on its own accord.
That is what the Husbandman (i.e. the Almighty Jehovah), did in Jesus Christ, the true Vine). Then we, the believers in Christ are the branches.
3. YOU ARE MY BRANCHES
Every believer is a branch. The Almighty Jehovah grafted every believer in Christ Jesus. Our steadfast in Christ means our survival. We enjoy divine kindness, favour, mercy and supplies.
We who were astray according to Isaiah 53. Jesus said I have grafted you into myself as my branches. That is position
A branch can remove itself from the stem, (sister did this or pastor did this or that) after a matter of time it will withal. The husbandman csn remove a branch by himself. If you didn't bear good fruit the owner of field can remove such by himself.
4. ANYONE WHO REMAINS IN ME SURVIVES AND BEAR FRUITS
If we will survive hardship and whatever else, we must abide in Christ. Anyone who abides in Christ will bear fruits and such fruits will remain, survive the test of time.
Any branch that abides in me will survive and bear fruits. Continuity (John 5:24) in Jesus Christ gives life.
If you are in Christ, you will survive and reproduce very well. You are not in any man's hand. Wherever you are is where decide to be.
If you abide in me, ask anything, it will be done by my father. Only very few are branches in Christ.
5. ANYONE WHO IS NOT IN CHRIST WILL FIND IT HARD
One can remove himself or herself from the true Vine. How? Such will blame one brother, sister, pastor or a fellow member who offended him/ her. Such will drop from church activities. You have removed yourself.
Another way one can be detached from the true Vine is when the branch is not productive. The husbandman has right to remove anyone who is not productive. But whoever is productive, the husbandman will help it to produce more abundantly.
Any branch that doesn't abide in me will not survive. In other words, you cannot survive outside Christ. No matter what. It is just a matter time whatever you have now will soon withal.
WITHOUT ME, YOU CAN DO NOTHING
If you are removed you must surely die. You will be gathered to fire 馃敟. Without me you can do nothing, Jesus Christ concluded.