(Suggested Reading; John 14 and 15)
Inside God's House the Holy Place
The hope of Israel for the restoration of the kingdom on earth was founded on the God in whom the Apostles believed. Now His Son, whom the Father had sent, tells them to believe also in Him. Why? Because all earthly expectations were to be shattered by Jesus' death. The truth that Messiah was to be cut off without His inheritance Dan. 9:2626And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (Daniel 9:26) although prophesied, was contrary to all Jewish hopes. What was left for them then, when their hearts were troubled, not only by no earthly kingdom, but also no earthly king?
The Father's House
God's beloved Son who came forth from His Father and came into the world was now about to leave the world and return to the Father by way of the cross. With such a prospect before Him He comforts His own, where the natural heart would seek comfort from others. But then they did not know what the Father was to Him. In John 14:2828Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. (John 14:28) He says "if ye loved Me, ye would rejoice, because I said I go to the Father.”
At supper the Lord calls His own 'children' a term He repeats when feeding them in resurrection "children have you any meat?" He would have us know the place of children their Father's house. So we have the promise of His return for us. Then the way in which we shall see our Father is unfolded "no man has seen God at any time, the Only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him" John 1:1818No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18). How could the Father be different from what the Son had shown Him to be on earth? He made the Father's heart known at the well of Sychar, at the coffin of the widow of Nain's son, at the cross. It will be the same Jesus in the Father's house. There we shall gaze on His blessed face and in doing so see our Father. But the Son is going back to His Father. Must hope then be deferred? Is it not possible even now to taste the joys of the Father's house? Must we wait till we are ushered into it to see the Father and the glory of the Son? The Lord who came forth from the Father and came into the world anticipated such thoughts. He prayed to His Father that the Comforter the Holy Spirit might come. That is why the gift of the abiding Comforter is connected with the Father's house. He comes out of the Father's house to bring the glories of the One who fills that house to us as Eliezer did to Rebecca Gen. 24.
The Holy Spirit—Symbolized in the Golden Lampstand—Is the Light of God's House
The tabernacle was constructed without windows. This was to prevent natural light from entering it. It was illuminated by the Golden Lampstand, whose light speaks of the Holy Spirit. He alone can reveal the beautiful things inside God's house.
In Chapter 14 the Lord, who was the Light of the world, is about to leave the world. The Holy Spirit who is the light, not of the world but of the sanctuary, will replace Him. But in the tabernacle the light of the golden lampstand shone opposite the lampstand Num. 8:2 That is, to reflect and display its own beauty, which, with its hammered workmanship of pure gold, spoke of Christ. The light from the golden lampstand also illuminated the Holy Place and the golden vessels of display in it. That is no doubt why we find references to the Holy Spirit in three whole chapters of John the 14th, 15th and 16th chapters. It is through Him we receive a blessed foretaste of the beauties and glories of that Man who will fill the universe of God with the light of His glory. Once again we must pause and emphasize the fact that in these "tabernacle" chapters (12 17) the Lord is going back to His Father. "Whosoever believes" John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) has everlasting life; "whosoever drinks" shall never thirst John 4:1414But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14). But in the first case it is because the Father has sent His Son. Now that the Son is returning to His Father the Father will send the Spirit in the Son's name that we may drink John 14:2626But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26). The Spirit will not speak from Himself but bring the glories of Christ before us while He has gone on high.
These truths are beautifully summarized in a verse from one of J.N. Darby's hymns.
“Tis thence now Christ is gone on high
Redemption's work complete
The Spirit brings His glory nigh
To those who for Him wait.”
The Vine and Its Branches
A vine may well have grown on the house where the Lord ended His Upper Room ministry or He may just have drawn from nature as He often did. But why did He choose the vine as a symbol of what His life had been in the world? And why did He call Himself the True Vine?
a. The Lord Jesus, not Israel is the True Vine: In Scripture Christ is the Truth and God is true. So by calling Himself the true vine i.e. the vine of God the Lord was contrasting Himself with Israel. Israel was the vine God had once brought out of Egypt. He had evicted the nations in Canaan and planted it there so it took deep root and filled the land Psa. 80:8, 98Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it. 9Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land. (Psalm 80:8‑9). Yes He had planted a vineyard, hedged it round about, and rented it to farmers. Then when harvest time came there was no fruit for Him. The farmers beat and killed and stoned His servants and when He sent His Son they said "this is the heir, come, let us kill Him, and let us confiscate His inheritance" read Matt. 21:33-4633Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: 34And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. 35And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. 36Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. 37But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. 38But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. 39And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. 40When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? 41They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. 42Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? 43Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. 45And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. 46But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet. (Matthew 21:33‑46). How could Israel be God's vine any longer when even the Gentile Pilate had said "Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered Thee to me" John 18:3535Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? (John 18:35). The grapes of Eschol came from Canaan the figure of heaven. The Lord Jesus was the heavenly vine and His fruit pleasurable to the Father.
But this leaves unanswered the other question why the Lord Jesus chose the vine as a symbol of Himself. First of all, let us consider two characteristics of the vine dependence and fruit bearing. A vine is in distinct contrast to a tree which supports itself and which is often used in Scripture as a symbol of a great man Nebuchadnezzar, for example. But the Lord was the dependent Man and we know that the vine clings to its trellis for support. Then the fruit of the vine is wine, the symbol of earthly joy in Scripture "then said the trees to the vine, come and reign over us. And the vine said to them, should I leave my wine, which cheers God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?" Judg. 9:12, 1312Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us. 13And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? (Judges 9:12‑13). All this is symbolical of course, but certain general guidance emerges as we reflect on it. The instruction in these symbols is that only a dependent Man could bear fruit on the earth that would cheer both God's heart and man's too, although the fruit is primarily for the Father.
b. Who are the branches? The Lord also said "you are the branches." The branches speak of responsibility on earth under divine government. There are two reasons why we should not consider them figures of the Church as some do. First the doctrine of the Church is not given to us in the Scriptures by John, but by Paul. Secondly, Paul teaches that "he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit" 1 Cor. 6:1717But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:17) a truth which is inconsistent with men being thrown away as branches, withered, gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned see John 15:66If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:6). No, once we have heard and believed the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation, we are "sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise which is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory" Eph. 1:13, 1413In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13‑14).
The branches clearly are the Apostles, judging from the Lord's own words "ye are the branches" but as we shall see later, not confined to them. Still, we see the grand principles in the Apostles. There are two classes of branches, both introduced by "if" v 6, 7 to distinguish them. Each class of branch is treated separately the lifeless branches are burned, the branches with the life of the vine are pruned to increase their yield of fruit.
.. The branches of profession are burned: These are diseased, dead, broken or withered branches, still clinging to the vine, but useless. They exemplify those who only profess to be Christians. They do not really belong to Christ, could never bear fruit for that reason, and are gathered, thrown in the fire and burned. Judas is an example. He was an apostle. He was also the treasurer. He became greedy for money and conspired to sell the Lord for thirty pieces of silver, thinking He would deliver Himself and he would be rich. When his plan failed he threw the coins down before the priests. Truly men gather them and they are burned, for the priests would now have no part either of Judas or his money. So he hanged himself. Judas is not alone. The withered branches of profession have historically made up much of the so called Christian world. Those nominally attached to the name of Christ constitute often the fiercest persecution of the branches who abide in Christ and in whom He abides. So He will send the Comforter to testify of Him, and the Apostles also should bear witness because they had been with Him from the beginning. Their testimony continues to this day as does that of the Holy Spirit. In the meantime may we as the true branches bear much fruit that His Father may be glorified.
.. The branches that abide are pruned: The vine is never said to be pruned only the branches. Christ is the vine and everything flows from Him. The branches that abide in Him all bear some fruit, but it is the work of the Father to prune the good branches to increase their yield. The fruit belongs to the Father.
The pruning of hedges and shrubs is a chore with which every gardener is familiar, and is not confined to a vine. In a tomato plant for example a gardener will pinch back the young shoots when there are enough tomatoes on the plant. This prevents the energy of the plant going into promoting wild growth, which is the natural thing, without cultivation. Similarly, raspberry plants will sucker endlessly if left to themselves. This type of pruning, then, is done with the object of diverting the natural energy of the plant from the growth of foliage into fruit bearing.
We have considered Judas as a withered branch. Now we will consider a good branch, Peter. Peter's natural energy made him the leader of the disciples. But the Lord had to say "Simon, Simon, behold Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat" Luke 22:3131And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: (Luke 22:31). Satan may well be the pruning shears in God's hand but wheat is wheat. The idea behind pruning is the removal of those things in our lives which, if left un-removed would only foster the wild natural growth seen in men of the world who do not know God. Once removed, fruit for the Father becomes more abundant.
These grand principles, while exemplified in the twelve Apostles, are not confined to them. They occupy a prominent place in the Lord's Prayer to His Father in John 17. But He also said "neither pray I for these alone, but for those also who shall believe on Me through their word"— John 17:2020Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; (John 17:20).
The Table of Showbread
At this point we might consider the relationship of the Lord's remarks to the twelve Apostles to the next article in the Tabernacle the Table of Showbread. This Table was made of "shittim wood" generally believed to be acacia overlaid with pure gold. The shittim wood was a picture of Christ's spotless Manhood, the gold of His divinity, all present unitedly in Jesus on this earth. Everything touching the Table was gold. A crown of gold was round about it, a golden crown to the hand breadth border round about it, and four rings of gold to carry it. Even the poles of shittim wood set in these rings to carry it were overlaid with gold. The dishes, spoons, covers and bowls used in its service were of pure gold see Ex. 25:23 30. When this Table was carried through the wilderness Aaron and his sons were to spread a cloth of, blue on it "and put on it the dishes, and the cups and the bowls, and goblets of the drink offering" Num. 4:77And upon the table of showbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon: (Numbers 4:7). This leads us to the consideration of three things respecting the Table of Showbread which are relevant to John 15.
a. Christ: He is the vine in John 15. The spies brought back the grapes of Eschol, the fruit of the vine. Only the heavenly vine bore fruit on this earth. Aaron and his sons believers as a company of worshipping heavenly priests know this and spread the cloth of blue Christ as the heavenly Man on the Table. We also know the union of God the gold and Man the shittim wood in the person of our blessed Savior.
b. Man in Christ: Just as the vine held up the branches so did the Table support the twelve loaves of showbread. Primarily, these represent Israel but the Lord said "you are the branches" that is the twelve Apostles. They really represented the nation in God's eye for of them Jesus said "you are those who have continued with Me in My temptations and I appoint unto you a kingdom that you may eat and drink with Me at My Table in My kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel" Luke 22:3030That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:30). Believers in the present day are doubtless included, and Israel too, for God has not given up His people. The loaves speak of Man in Christ and witness to administration in man—Man in Christ on the earth. The loaves were of fine flour, baked. This administration is imperfect two rows of six yet sustained by the Table which not only held up but enclosed the showbread. Pure frankincense was put on the showbread the fragrance of Christ it was renewed every Sabbath, and eaten by Aaron and his sons in the Holy Place see Lev. 24:5 9.
How God Trains Us for Worship in His House
In closing these meditations let us recall the respective work of the Father and the Son in fitting us for priestly service before the Lord. In John 13 the Lord washed His disciples' feet the laver in figure to remove defilement picked up from their walk through this world. In John 15 the Father pruned the branches to remove things in ourselves which hinder our fruitfulness to God. The end of God's ways with the soul is joy without ecstasy and joy in a world which is completely opposed to us. Out of this flows worship.
What we have been considering is how God brings our state in line with our standing. Our standing is typified by Lazarus a dead and risen man seated at the Lord's Table. Alas, our state may contradict our standing. God takes care of two things which drag us down, as it were, to the level of the world. One is dirty feet picking up filth from the world as we pass through it. That is where feet washing comes in. The other is pruning to increase the yield of fruit by removing excess foliage. Spelled out, this means that we yield fruit for the Father, instead of wasting our energies on natural outlets. Then our voices would be hushed when we come together for worship. With these practical difficulties removed we may enter the Holy of Holies for worship.
There we will offer the fruit of our lips to the Father for the veil is rent.