The Twenty First of May.I AM THE TRUE VINE --- John 15:1-5."I am the true Vine, and my Father is the Husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Abide in me, and I in you. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit." --- John 15:1-5. O Lord, I trust that this word will have its accomplishment in me also, though as yet I have great reason to be humbled on account of my barrenness. Grant, therefore, that I may always abide in thee faithfully and quietly; since there is everything in thy power, and nothing can be done by our own strength: but as it is thy will, and it tends both to the glory of thy Father and thine own, I depend upon being replenished in due season with fruits of righteousness. Oh, suffer nothing in me which may dishonour thy name, and which would prove hurtful to myself, and offensive to others! But whatever thou thinkest as yet fit for me to suffer, let it work my real good. How can I sufficiently adore the patience of the Lord, my gracious Husbandman, who still bears with me, the weakest of all branches? He has not cut me off yet, but still dresses me, to bring forth more fruit, though, like a degenerate plant, I yield little else but wild grapes. Why then shouldest thou grumble, O my heart, at the application of the pruning knife? It is really for thy good. He is angry only with the degenerate, unfruitful branches. The more these are purged, the more fruit thou shalt bring forth.
Is Christ a Vine? His heavenly root |