Title: Vine and Branches
1. Introduction
In an old oriental text, it is called 巧言令色鮮矣仁 (Gyoeon Young Saek Saekyin), and it is said that there is little truth to a face that is decorated with long, complicated and clever words and hidden feelings. In a Western proverb, it is said that it is simple thing that last long. People in the East and the West know that the truth is always uncomplicated and unpretentious.
Jesus' words are very simple and straightforward. The writer of the Gospel of John is particularly simple and clear, but records the words of Jesus that pierce the liver and heart and lead to great enlightenment. A representative of them is the seven words “ego eimi / what am I”. I am the light of the world. I am the bread of life. I am the door of the sheep I am the good shepherd I am the resurrection and the life. I am the way, the truth, and the life. And today's text, <I am the vine, you are the branches>.
The text is symmetrical and gradual, leading to deeper and deeper seas of truth. The attached and the non-attached branch, the fruit-bearing branch and the non-fruiting branch, the branch in me and the branch that is not in me, and the result is such a contrasting contradiction that nothing verse) and can do anything (verse 7).
2. What is the relationship between the vine and the branches?
In everything in this world, there is a beginning and an end, there is an essential and a minor. For water and fish, water comes first, fish last. Because water makes the fish live, the fish doesn't save the water. Water can live without fish, but fish cannot live without water. As for mind and matter, the mind is the essence, and matter is the branch. Mind can live without matter, but matter cannot arise without mind. The great Parthenon, built on the hill of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, had already been built in the mind of the architect Iktinos before the temple was built. Therefore, mind takes precedence over matter.
A fish that leaves the water is death. Matter without mind is death. Thus, a branch that is not attached to the vine is death. Jesus makes us realize the profound spiritual order by listening to these simple and clear facts. These words of <I am the vine and you are the branches> are not logical explanations, but divine proclamations. This is not a word that can be believed after logically understanding it, but it is a word that must be believed unconditionally with Amen.
3. <The vine and branches>, what is the spiritual meaning of these words?
The correlation between knowing and believing is twofold. One is <Knowledge first, faith last. In other words, what do you need to know to believe or not to do?> is a rational logic. The other is <Faith comes first, knowledge comes last. If you do not believe, you cannot stand firm. Isaiah 7:9, faith leads to faith, and Romans 1:17> is a religious logic. The saying <I am the vine, you are the branch> is not understood and believed according to rational logic, but if you unconditionally believe that it is the case, then of course it is! It leads to realization and faith.
Then, what is the spiritual meaning of the words <I am the vine, you are the branches>?
first. It means 不可, 不可. Those who deny or ignore the fact that Jesus is the vine and I am the branch will gradually dry up and rot like the branches of a vine whose supply of moisture and sap is cut off. A branch that has fallen off the vine does not immediately wither on the spot. It dries slowly. It dries really slowly. The same is true of those who have left Jesus. I don't know at first. There doesn't seem to be any difference. But gradually, very slowly, gradually, the inspiration dries up, the joy dries up, the gratitude dries up, and the praise dries up. love dries up. Thus, no matter what work, no human relationship, no inner achievement, they become scumbags.
second. It means 不可不, 可. Those who unconditionally believe that Jesus is the vine and that I am the branch, and live with that knowledge, have green leaves, beautiful flowers, and desirable fruits like a branch that is supplied with flowing moisture and sap. Even a branch that is well attached to the vine does not happen overnight on the spot. Slowly, gradually, the light becomes blue. Slowly, little by little, things work out. A good idea comes to mind. meet nice people. Joy flows. My face becomes clear without me knowing. In this way, in everything you touch, everyone you meet, and everything you pray and ask in your heart, you will receive a blessing that will never happen.
It is the same, but in the end, you will become a person who will receive great and wonderful blessings.
4. Closing story
Emerson said that all great things in this world are simple. That's right. <I am the vine, you are the branches> How simple are these words?. Please receive these words with a simple heart like a child. The fact that I am living and breathing like this right now! How grateful are you?. And if anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me will flow from within him rivers of living water (John 7:38). How gracious is this!. Hallelujah, Amen, Amen, Amen!.