RSS FeedJohn 15:1-17
This is the last of the seven “I Am” statements of Jesus, as recorded in St. John’s Gospel. This final statement uses the very familiar image of the vine, which had already been used extensively in Jewish religious imagery.
The image of the vine, however, is considerably different from the other seven images. It is the only reference to a living being in the “I Am” satements; a living organism which is dependent upon several internal and external conditions for its life. This dependency is further teased out with the inclusion of disciples within the image, as the vine’s branches.
Such a metaphor suggests that as the Body of Christ, we are all interconnected and part of one great organism. In order for each of us to have life and to be life-giving, we have to support each other and work together in order to live into the Kingdom of God, into which we all are connected. We are many branches, but share in the life of the one vine, Jesus Christ, who gives life to us all. We have no choice but to be together and overcome our differences for the sake of the unity Christ offers us as members of His Body.
Jesus empowers us to live into this unity by giving a new commandment- the commandment of love, by which we are taught a way of being together with Him and bearing fruit together.
Drawing dimensions (each): 15 X 20 cm
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