Inspiration to write this article came from contemplating on a picture of a sculpture taken at a Christian Museum in Iceland. The sculpture is presented in the figure below, representing Jesus as the true vine.
Being an art enthusiast, I was truly impressed at how the artist managed to capture the words of Jesus in John 15:1-17 into a two-dimensional masterpiece.
2. Jesus The True Vine
John 15:5 NLT
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
Jesus gives a figurative expression of the vine and its branches as a representation of he and the church. He mentions that he is the true vine, and we are the branches that bear fruit in his kingdom. Apart from him, we cannot bear fruit.
Believers are represented by the figure standing at the base of the sculpture whose life centered and established in Christ. We hold his word so close to our hearts as represented by the book in the figure’s hands. His word is truth, which has been entrenched in our hearts, and thus builds and strengthens our faith in him.
2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
Notice the base of the figure aligned to Christ, there are branches that sprout, growing upright and bearing fruit. A believer’s life is not ordinary. Rather, it is marked by divine fruits such as wisdom, honor, glory, power, blessings and more.
2. The Love From The World
The two figures whispering to the believer represent the world, the world does not bear fruit because it’s not rooted in Christ. The fruit they bear curve to the ground as they do not receive their life supply from Christ.
The world entices the believer by showing them worldly love and whispers ideas and philosophies that are contrary to God’s word.
3. The Love From Christ
Jesus tells us this: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love”. He has given us the assurance of his love just as the Father has loved him, all we have to do is to remain in his love. Though Christ’s love is impossible to illustrate in a 2D sculpture the artist simply represents the believer standing in Christ.
In Ephesians 3:14, Paul writes, “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have the power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ”.
Therefore, true love is found by being rooted and established in Christ; the artist juxtaposes this with the love of the world where the unfruitful branches are shaped to form the common love or heart symbol.
Click to read more on God’s love: This Is The Most Important Thing You Should Know About God’s Love.
4. Clinging To The Word
In the sculpture, believers countenance shows no interest to the sweet whispers and promised love from the world. Thus exhibiting the words of the Psalmist.
Psalms 119:11 NLT
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I may not sin against you.
As believers we cling to God’s word entirely, his promises are infallible, his love is expansive and sufficient that our minds can never compute its exact dimensions.
5. Final Thought On The True Vine
Dear reader, a life without Christ is a life of emptiness and darkness that that leads to death. There is no other better alternative other than being anchored to his instruction to remain in him.
Like the believer in the sculpture, we need to ask the Lord to turn our eyes from worthless things of this the world and give us life through His word (Psalms 119:37).
Truly amazing piece to read…some art cannot be merely appreciated without diving deep into the soul. Jesus is the true vine…and I couldn’t agree with you more, the sculpture captured that so perfectly.
“Whoever abides in me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit…apart from me, you can do nothing”
Thanks for sharing**