Tree and Vine

A man planted a vineyard and rented it out to vine-growers, and went on a journey for a long time.

In describing the Holy Christian Church on earth, your LORD Jesus compares it to a man planting a vineyard, renting it out, and going away for a long time. His purpose is to address the nature and purpose of the Church, in particular that it exists solely by the grace of God in order to give rest to those who labor under the condemnation of the Law.

Because the Garden of Eden was no longer accessible, tillable, or of benefit to fallen man except as a reminder of sin, it was necessary for the Creator to undertake horticultural pursuits of another kind as He continued to call out, admonish, enliven, cultivate, and hold fast to His greatest love: the poor miserable sinner. It is called a vineyard because it is beautiful, brings refreshment, develops over time, requires careful execution, thoughtful planning, and most of all tenderness in dealing with the vines as they grow.

These things are very much characteristic of the Church, which The Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies, not by mighty strokes of power, might, and glory, but by participating directly in the creation, having Christ crucified on the tree of the cross preached into your ears and granting you faith to believe and receive His perfect benefits. Just as seeds and earth both join together over time to sprout up into beautiful plants, the Word of God and walking dead combine to sprout up into a new creation.

The most beautiful example of this vineyard at the time these words were first spoken was the people of Israel, who, through the means God has established in their midst, sprouted up as a special people having everything necessary for eternal life, namely the Word and promises of God; how He, on account of One great Sacrifice to come, is steadfast in mercy, forgiving iniquity, longsuffering, not to mention very much involved with His people in every way.

As the time drew near for the Son of Man to enter history under the Law to redeem those who were under the Law, it seemed as if the owner of the vineyard had gone away. His prophets, the vine growers whose Word and work were in perfect accord with the Owner - who faithfully and directly called the people of Israel to repentance and faith - had faded into the background over the past centuries. It was as if the nearer presence of God was somewhere out there, much as it often seems for you in these days where every kind of message and product hankers for your attention, which you all too often willingly yield.

Now the Man who planted the vineyard has come back. Having been put to death on the tree of the cross for your sin, and having been raised again for your justification, He has joined Himself to you as a vine is joined to its branches, sustaining them and causing them to bear fruit. “I Am the Vine, you are the branches. He that abides in Me brings forth much fruit.”

If there is one thing to learn when it comes to how God creates and sustains the Church, it is that He does so only through the person and work of Christ Jesus, who to this very hour and moment abides in you by the same Word into which you were baptized; the same Word that sanctifies you in the Body of Christ. Many are so high and mighty in their own minds that they reject the real presence and abiding joy of your Savior, as did certain authorities who first heard these words. But it is not so with you, poor sinner, for your sins are forgiven and you abide in Christ Jesus.