“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” John 15:1.

It is quite easy to get caught up in to Churchanity versus Christianity; doing those things and practices that appear to be religious and upright in heart…but are only things that satisfy the carnal ego and not the spiritual nature… it is a counterfeit of true worship…diverting our attention away from God and on to self.

Dr. Richard Booker, MBA, Ph.D. writes of an interesting Jewish concept of an artificial vine that was suppose to illustrated those who followed Christ as the true vine and source of all nourishment for the soul-but in actuality it portrayed more physical symbolism and self glory than spirtual reality.  “At the time of Jesus, a golden grapevine was draped across the four columns at the entrance to the Temple. Titus Flavius Josephus records that its beauty was such that it was known as a marvel of size and artistry to all who saw with what costliness of material it had been constructed. The Mishnah says that people would sometimes make a freewill offering by purchasing a golden leaf, berry, or cluster which the priests would then attach to this vine. Often those who gave generously to the Temple had their names inscribed on the golden leaves. This was a custom that all were familiar with in Jerusalem. When Jesus depicted Himself as the True Vine, He was undoubtedly contrasting Himself with this artificial vine, suggesting that if the disciples would offer themselves to Him to the degree that people offered their substance to this golden symbol, the result would be abundant spiritual fruit.”

My friends we must be careful to watch for those things that have been embedded in our hearts for years, symbols, celebrations and sayings that seem legit and Christ worthy…but are able to stear us far from the true source of all nourishment for spiritual growth – our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ- the true vine! “I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman. John 1:15. 

May God help us all to follow after the true light our Savior and our God who guides us through the power of the Holy Spirit to forsake things that feel good, look good, sound good, having no spiritual substance. Instead let us lay hold to the Word of God–the truth which produces much fruit within us to run this Christian race in victory! “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” Galatians 5:22-23.

God blessings and grace be with us all!