'I am the True Vine' Flashcards
What analogy does JC draw in this discourse?
He compares himself to a vine in the vineyard and God to the gardener
State the ‘I am the true vine’ statement in full
‘I am the true vine, and my father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes it so that it will be even more fruitful’
Why were vines such important crops in 1st century Palestine?
- The Jews and Romans both enjoyed wine as a ‘soft drink’ when water was unhygenic.
- The Romans had a God of wine called Bacchus
- Wine features in the Jewish passover celebration, when 4 cups of wine are drank to celebrate the escape of the Israelites from Egypt, while a 5th cup of undrunk wine is set aside for the Messiah
What is JC doing by claiming to be the true vine?
- He is identifying himself as the true God of wine, rather than the false Bacchus
- He is claiming to be the real source of passover celebration
What does the OT use the vine as a symbol for?
The Jewish people
Recite Psalm 80: 8-9
‘You transplanted a vine from Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land’
Explain Jesus’ warning that God will cut off the branches that don’t bear fruit
This isn’t just a warning to the sinful Jews who have turned their backs on God; it is also directed at the Pharisees and religious leaders that congratulate themselves on their Jewish ancestry but don’t show love or humility in their lives
How does Jesus’ warning link to the Parable of the Tenants in Matthew?
Jesus describes a vineyard where the tenant farmers refuse to pay the owner (God) the fruit of the harvest and even murder his son (Jesus). The owner throws his tenants off the land and gives the vineyard to someone else - which is like God rejecting the Jews and transferring his blessings to Gentile Christians
Who are the branches that do bear fruit?
The disciples
What is the ‘fruit’ Jesus is referring to?
The eternal life the disciples receive from God, but also their life of love and morality
How did Christians of the early church use this discourse to understand the hardship and persecution they had to endure?
They would conclude that God was only ‘pruning’ them so they could bear more fruit in the future
How does this discourse link to the Iranaean theodicy?
Because both suggest that God allows suffering so that a greater good may come of it
Raymond Brown argues that this passage contains two themes. What are they?
- A sapential theme that focuses on Jesus’ teachings and love
- A sacramental theme that describes the Eucharist
Where does Jesus make a subtle reference to his eventual crucifixion?
When he talks about ‘laying down one’s life for one’s friends’
Explain the sapential theme in the discourse
When Jesus makes clear that the ‘fruit’ he is referring to is agape
Which part of the discourse can be seen as a reference to transubstantiation?
When Jesus says ‘You remain in me and I in you’
Where does St Paul support the idea that agape is the ultimate fruit?
In his ‘love is’ speech in 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13
Where does Matthew repeat the idea that agape is the ultimate fruit?
‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ Matthew 22:39
What does being the true vine make Jesus?
- He is the reality behind the Jewish prophecies and rituals
- While wine is a false source of inspiration and comfort, Jesus really is these things
- The Jewish religion did not ‘bear fruit’ and so God’s promises are instead fulfilled to those who believe in JC
Explain the importance of Jesus’ message of agape love
It is the feature of Christianity that makes it superior to other religions and philosophies . It replaces the legalistic attitudes of the Pharisees and the decadent lifestyles of the Romans and continues to inspire people today
Why is Jesus the true vine and the Israelites are not?
Because the OT repeatedly describes how the Israelites fail to obey God, whereas Jesus does obey God, even to the point of accepting his own death
