This icon, from the 19th century (Russia, painter anonymous), depicts Jesus as the vine. We notice the nail print visible on his right hand, and the branches growing out of the wound on his side, received at the crucifixion. The angel Gabriel is holding a golden chalice into which Jesus is squeezing grapes. However, what is dripping into the cup is not grape juice. It matches his blood in color. We find the vine branches are wrapped around the cross, bearing a sign with the abbreviation for "Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews." As Jesus has laid down his life for his people, they also lay down their lives. Yet Jesus remains the source of all strength, as the one who gives his body and blood to nourish us for eternity. Behind the cross we find a ladder, symbolizing step by step ascent to God, a spear, symbolizing courage, a spear that has punctured the world, indicating Christ's conquering of all, a column, which is a stylized form of a tree, reminiscent of the cross, a rooster, which crows even while we are denying Christ, and a ring holding it all together, symbolizing fidelity and completeness. In the foreground, the hammer and nails which were used to execute Jesus have proven useless. He has taken off the crown of suffering, which has also lost its power. All this reminds us of what Jesus is speaking about in John 15.
Notice in the Bible we refer to the following:
Book - John (there are many different "books" in the one book of the Bible),
Chapter - Normally found as a big numeric heading. John has 21 chapters,
Verse - a segment usually about a sentence long.
The chapter and verse markings were added to the text as a handy index about 800 years ago. They are the same in virtually every different translation.
Here's a link to John chapter 15. You can also compare the text in several different languages and translations.
If you want a copy of John's Gospel in print, we're happy to meet you around the Mizzou campus and put one into your hand!
1. In John 15, Jesus refers to himself as the "true vine" and says God the Father is the gardener who cares for vines. Christians are the branches of the vine. What does that relationship tell you about the Christian's life?
2. What happens to branches which are broken or become disconnected from the plant?
3. Based on verses 10-14, how can we make sure we remain connected to Jesus, the vine?
What are specific steps you can take that help you hold to Christ?
4. Verses 18-25 talk about how our broader culture might think about Christians. What shoul Christians expect in their lives? What encouragement does Jesus give here?
5. Jesus returns to the idea of the Holy Spirit in verses 26-27. What encouragement does the Holy Spirit bring?
Be sure to ask your questions and share your ideas in the comments for this post!
Book - John (there are many different "books" in the one book of the Bible),
Chapter - Normally found as a big numeric heading. John has 21 chapters,
Verse - a segment usually about a sentence long.
The chapter and verse markings were added to the text as a handy index about 800 years ago. They are the same in virtually every different translation.
Here's a link to John chapter 15. You can also compare the text in several different languages and translations.
If you want a copy of John's Gospel in print, we're happy to meet you around the Mizzou campus and put one into your hand!
1. In John 15, Jesus refers to himself as the "true vine" and says God the Father is the gardener who cares for vines. Christians are the branches of the vine. What does that relationship tell you about the Christian's life?
2. What happens to branches which are broken or become disconnected from the plant?
3. Based on verses 10-14, how can we make sure we remain connected to Jesus, the vine?
What are specific steps you can take that help you hold to Christ?
4. Verses 18-25 talk about how our broader culture might think about Christians. What shoul Christians expect in their lives? What encouragement does Jesus give here?
5. Jesus returns to the idea of the Holy Spirit in verses 26-27. What encouragement does the Holy Spirit bring?
Be sure to ask your questions and share your ideas in the comments for this post!
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