I am used to looking for something outstanding around me. That creates a sense of excitement and discovery. The photos of flowers, fruits and a Butterfly would be one such example of sights that hold my interest and attention.
The writer of the Psalm in the book of the Old Testament in the Bible devoted 19 verses of that text, to look at the abundance all around him. From verses 8 to 13 the psalmist described all the sights that impressed him immensely, narrating the glory and greatness that adored Jerusalem from all around. Using the symbol of vine for the nation of Israel, which was enormously prosperous with awe inspiring scenes and sights, became wasted, as 'it was burned with fire and cut down'. The psalmist attributed this loss to the 'rebuke of Thy countenance' (v16).
The prophet Ezekiel in his book in the Old Testament of the Bible chapter 15: 1-8, presented an imagery of vine and its wood: 'Can wood be taken from it to make anything or can men take peg from it on which to hang any vessel' (v3). This is a reference that the prophet made about the inhabitants of Jerusalem, in an agonising way. The people lived proudly loosing their soul and drawing way from God. Just as the vine wood turned worthless and could only be burned, people of Jerusalem became having lived their lives indulgently and unrighteously, became redundant.
It was in such a situation of devastation of hope for people in Jerusalem, Jesus of Nazareth became incarnate to be God with them by his birth in a manger at Bethlehem. He was about to be killed by Herod, because of which Mary, Joseph and Jesus had to flee to Egypt for a season.
It was following such a situation of distress and dismay, Jesus of Nazareth began his public engagements and discourses. During one of his discourses recorded in the Gospel of John, in the New Testament of the Bible, chapter 15, Jesus said, ' 'I am the vine and you are the branches..' (v5).
The glory of Jerusalem likened to a fruitful vine, which was later consumed in fire, was replaced with the presence of the life giving vine, Jesus, who came to dwell among them. He lifted the spirit of every one who heard him when He said, '...you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit..(v 5).
Jesus invited his listeners to take their attention away from what used to be externally extravagant about Jerusalem; instead abide in God to be branches and bear fruit.
That reality happens out of a relationship with God.
What is external has a preoccupation with us in the changing times ! The materiality, creature comfort, visibility and wealthy living have become the pursuit for many.
The current president of the USA has exalted wealth as supreme, unlike anybody else in the presidential history of that country. I regret that many get trapped by this snare. I guess that giving country has become acquisitive country. It has closed doors to students from some countries to study in their universities.
What was the invitation of Jesus offered when He said, 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest..' (Matthew 11:28-30). He offered a gift relationship that gave an interior experience of rest, the opposite of a burdened state and stressful living.
A burdened life or restfully abiding life!
To be relational to God and become branches bearing fruit, is a favour which God offers to all those who would come to receive this gift!
Professor Malathi Jadhav, belonging to the first batch of trainees in Paediatrics in India left a legacy at the Christian Medical College, Vellore. She lived a simple life and served the economically distressed families, who came with advanced clinical illnesses of their children. She made provisions for them to be looked after. She often looked after their food, bought clothes for the child and even gave money to cover return travel expenses of the family. She did all of this unnoticed by others. While in a conversation, I remember asking her about the motivation to share in the needs of those who were economically distressed. She said, ' What is that which we have not received? So sharing a portion of this is only normal'. I remember that a professor at that time earned one tenth of what a resident doctor would earn today' !
It is the giving God she experienced in her life. God was relationally present in her life and she became a branch to bear fruits!
What comes to me afresh is the invitation to live relationally with God who offers Himself to us!
Jesus of Nazareth brought a new value and status to vine, which had lost its worth, by becoming the vine and inviting us to become branches of the vine to bear fruits! What a grace, given to make us belong to God !
M.C.Mathew (text and photo)
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