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Walking past the Temple on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus Christ draws His disciples’ attention to the impressive gates. On these doors were two large clusters of grapes, more than six feet high and made of gold.

This was the symbol of Israel taken from the days, when under the leadership of Moses, the spies returned from the Promised Land – a phrase we seldom hear today.

It remains the logo on all Israeli Tourist Board literature.

Israel was called to be the fruitful planting of God, bringing all nations of the world to Almighty God.

God had been looking for the fruit of righteousness, justice, care and love, but Israel had failed to be fruitful.

This is why Jesus says, “I am the true vine. I am the real vine”.

Israel was meant to be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and what was intended to be relevant and meaningful had become no more than a sculptured monument.

Something similar had happened at Shiloh when Samuel was born. Where the worship had been real, it had deteriorated into ritual.

Three times a year, crowds used to come to Services in Perth on what was called ‘Communion Sunday’. An extra Service was introduced to accommodate everyone, but where was everyone on all the other Sundays?

Had ritual replaced reality?

Jesus knew that monuments to the past are not of much value if there is no life in what is currently happening.

Leaves on a vine are not enough. We need fruit.

The only way whereby we can live fruitful lives is by abiding or remaining in Christ, and allowing the refreshing sap to rise and refresh every branch, in order to produce fruit.

What God is looking for in us, and from us, is fruit.

Sandy Shaw
Nairn Christian Fellowship

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

Origin Of Nations