The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-06
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON
May z, ~1S09-John XIV, 1-11-The Vine
and the Branches.

There are some Cwestcott. Moulton and others)
who believe that after the supper and before the
| agony in the garden. Jesus spent some hours Of
the night with His disciples in the temple If SO.
the figure Of the vine may have been suggested
by the golden vine which Herod the Great had
| placed there, above the Golden Gate. Or some
vineyard by the roadside may have made the sug-
gestion. Indeed. 1t is not necessary TO imagine
any immediate suggestion-as the vine was the
national emblem and most familiar of objects.
In this figure of speech Jesus asserts in the
strongest possible manner His fundamental rela-
| ton to humanity. He is sole source OF spiritual
life and fruitfulness. Abiding in the stock (Jesus)
and pruned by the husbandman Che Father) the
branches dhe disciples) live and bear fruit Verse
ID Apart from the stock the branches wlther
Werses 5, 60
The words of Jesus are the instrument by means
OF which the branch is pruned. His example and
ideals of character and duty apprehended, adj
mired and realized, make genuine disciples. whose
lives honor and commend the God they serve.
Verse S. He whose deliberate and perpetual
choice Is to maintain a vital union with Christ,
and who to this end treasures His words in mem
DRY is in the way of securing the things that are
needful for his growth, comfort and usefulness.
Verse ~ The love of Christ for His disciples
is analogous in greatness. fervency and con-
stancy to tho love which the Father has for the
Son. "a measurement great beyond all finite
comprehension" Verse 10)
In conclusion Jesus defines His Object ih speak
ing these words to His disciples. II is thai His
Joy may remain in them AS the fellowship OF
the Son with the Father gives His infinite delight.
so the conscious union of the disciple With the
Master is source of blissful content Up to the
measurement OF the disciples cap acity IL can
I'LL him with Joy. Verse ID
THE TEACHERS
Ffrst-At the very moment OF impending separa-
ton Jesus speaks to His disciples of a union
which they might maintain with Him as intimate
and persistent as that which maintains between
branch and vine. 1t was another way Of saying to
them, Let not your heart be troubled"
Second-"Men are Joined to Christ, not as
! branches which shoot from the vine. but as those
/ which are grated into 1t. Crafts must be so
Joined to the stock as to make a vital union.
Mere mechanical union is insufficient. In nature
good scions are grated into poorer stocks. In
grace the poor, sinful scions are grated into
Christ, the true and good stock"
Third-No one must be content with being mere
ly grated into Christ There must be the am
bition for abundant fruitfulness. Failure at this
point insures ultimate separation from Christ.
Fourth-Jesus' word is the pruning knife. NOW
We are pruned through the word which I have
spoken unto you
Fifth-The figure from nature indicates the nat
is nothing arbitrary or fictitious. He who chooses
to be a disciple treasures the Masters teachings
In his heart. actualizes them In life and deed,
keeps himself open to the infinite life. will have
a wholesome and fruitful life.
Sixth-Jesus spoke OF His Joy" an hour before
His agony. That Joy was full and unimpaired,
even by the shame and suffering OF the cross.