The grapevine when it is bursting with royal purple grapes against large emerald-green heart-shaped leaves is just about as pretty as any fruit on any fruit tree. And wine made from these luscious berries feels equally at home at an elegant dinner party, for a casual event or on a church communion table.
But before grapes are made into that delectable beverage, they must be tended to by a master gardener who knows when to prune and when to pick. Those requirements are no small task.
This is the seventh and last blog post in the Who Is Jesus Series in which Jesus Himself has left us with vivid images of His characteristics: ‘bread of life,’ ‘light of the world,’ ‘door,’ ‘good shepherd,’ ‘resurrection and life,’ and ‘way, truth, and life.’ Those six descriptions of a historical Jesus (verified in secular documents as much or more than other figures of antiquity) are all found in the Bible book of John in separate chapters and verses. The seventh description is from John 15:5 where He says He is the ‘vine.’
This seventh description of Jesus leaves the disciples of His day and of ours with a command to bear an abundance of fruit. Another Scripture—Galatians 5:22-23—tells us what these fruits of the spirit are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is the message of the grapevine—pass it on!
If your mother tongue is listed below, you many read John 15:5 in the language which speaks to your heart. If it is not here, you may be able to find it in this link (you do not have to download an app or sign up for anything; you can just go in and read).
https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/
https://www.bible.com/ (This link will take you directly to the text without any options to install the app.)
English: I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit. John 15:5 KJV (King James Version)
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit. John 15:5 CPDV (Catholic Public Domain Version)
I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit. John 15:5 GNBUK (Good News Bible Anglicized), GNT (Good News Translation)
Français: Je suis le cep, vous êtes les sarments. Celui qui demeure en moi et en qui je demeure porte beaucoup de fruit. Jean 15:5 LSG (La Sainte Bible par Louis Segond), NEG79 (Nouvelle Édition de Genève 1979)
Je suis la vigne, vous êtes les rameaux. Celui qui demeure uni à moi, et à qui je suis uni, porte beaucoup de fruits. Jean 15:5 BFC (Bible en français courant)
Español: Yo soy la vid, vosotros los pámpanos; el que permanece en mi, y yo en él, este lleva mucho fruto. Juan 15.5 RVR1960 (Biblia Reina Valera 1960), RVC (Reina Valera contemporánea)
Deutsch: Ich bin der Weinstock, ihr seid die Reben. Wer in mir bleibt und ich in ihm, der bringt viele Frucht. Johannes 15,5 DELUT (Lutherbible 1912),
Ich bin der Weinstock, ihr seid die Reben. Wer in mir bleibt und ich in ihm, der bringt viel Frucht. Johannes 15,5 LUTHEUTE (luther.heute), SCH2000 (Schlachter 2000)
Encouragement and Instruction
From the Bible, God’s Holy Word
Connie Carlisle Polley, 2022
ConnieCarlislePolley.com
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