Here was a Man…
Considering what I have had to read up about vines over the past three months or so, I should be an expert on by now. But let me assure you that I am not. I just can’t seem to get enough to feel that confident. And to think that I started so casually, and thought it was a wrap in the first couple of days! More fool I. Well here is the promised second part for what it’s worth. At the very least, I hope it will send you on your path to a deeper understanding, if only to confirm or refute what you read here. Proverbs after all exhorts us to get understanding…
Since my search started, I became excruciatingly conscious of trees around me, hoping to be able to identify vines, going by what I had been able to read up at that point, backed up by the occasional fleeting glimpses of vineyards I’d seen in pictures and movies. The impression I had then was that vines were relatively small trees usually planted in neat rows. But google had also informed me that they had twisting stems although I didn’t quite understand how those fitted in. Nevertheless, it was easy for me to dismiss the big trees that stood tall and straight and proudly alone. (Somehow, those were the ones that usually impose themselves on our sights, right?). So, instead, I started looking out for trees with twisted trunks which I thought at that point more likely to be vines. I repeat, more fool I!
Meanwhile, I was quite delighted to see a few of such. Trees with multiple stems twisted together so tightly that it would be impossible to separate them, even after cutting them down! In spite of the fact that these did not look like fruit-bearing trees which made it clear they were not vines, I considered them the close enough to vines to be worthy of my attention. Besides, my love for the underdog, which I considered these less imposing shorter trees to be, made me fantasize a bit about them. The unusual way their trunks twisted together so tightly inspired me because they grew to form a much stronger and more solid trunk than the single-trunked, distinguished tall trees. In this way, thought I, they had successfully compensated for their shorter, less imposing stature with their solid trunks.
Could they not be compared to the Body of Christ? All members emerging from the same strong foundation, twisted around each other in a tight loving hug that made them stronger. All feeding from the same root, the Bread of Life, and growing thicker and taller every day… Inseparable in their strong bond of love, they were confident that the gates of hell shall not prevail… I loved the idea and was excited at the thought of sharing this interesting reflection with you! But I hesitated because of a niggling discomfort when I noticed some other details about the trees.
The fact is that most of such trees had only three or four sturdy trunks. Some had a few weaker trunks attached to them at a certain height. But some really young, light green appendages also sprouted here and there on most trunks. This tender vegetation looked so delicate that they did not seem to belong to the trees! It was clear that they could easily be broken off them by any careless hand or climbing reptile. They seemed to have no protection whatsoever from the sturdy trunks they sprung from. Any gusty wind or could blow them off the trunks anytime; one heavy downpour could wash them away at the blink of an eye; the sun could dry them up within a short period of time, and it would seem they had never been there! These trees, as fascinating as they were, did not seem to offer any succor to their weaker appendages.
My thoughts strayed to the young, weak and lowly members of the church and wondered if they had a fighting chance in the event of an attack. The thought that this reality did in a way project the picture of the many churches over the centuries made me sad. My interest in those particular trees waned. However, I soon cheered up on recalling that the Bible clearly states that God took special care of the weak, the lowly, the outcast, and even the foreigner! Psalm 68: 5- 6 declares that God is: Father to the fatherless, defender of widows— this is God, whose dwelling is holy.6 God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.
This comforting thought released me to focus once again on my main objective, which was to discover more about the nature of the vine and why our Lord used it as a metaphor of the relationship between Himself and His followers. It was not rocket science to figure out that the branch of any tree was dependent on the trunk, and the trunk on the root. So, in a way, what our Lord said in the Bible about the crucial interconnection between the vine and the branches should not come as a surprise to anyone. But the enigma for me at least, is that the vine is said to have only one principal structure to which the branches were attached, and yet, it twists, and creeps and climbs! I realized again that I had hardly scratched the surface of what a vine was all about and I had to dig some more.
I imagine you realize by now that my findings did not progress in the order that this write-up is being presented. Actually, confusion reigned for a long time in my amateur mind as I meandered my way into seeking understanding. Before I was able to get a better grasp of what I had read, I had to take time to focus on close-up pictures of plants in the vine family. I started by comparing them with grapevines, hoping this would help me distinguish the grapevine from others. I must confess that amateur that I am, I got frustrated in the process. I then decided to focus on pictures of the grapevine alone, checking out the leaves, then stalks, and finally vineyards. Again, it was only when I googled ‘vineyard with people’ that I came to the realization that those neat rows of grapevines standing straight and firm that I had sometimes caught in movies were actually not the trunks of the grapevines! I am embarrassed to confess that it was only then that it dawned on me that grapevines were nothing like ordinary trees as I previously believed them to be!
I am now quite enthralled with what I have discovered so far and our Lord’s choice of the vine now makes so much sense to me. Apparently, vine is a generic name for all plants that creep, crawl or climb in any direction where they find support. They achieve this thanks to their long, delicate, flexible stalk which often has tendrils which they utilize to twine around the objects they use as hosts to achieve their objectives. The tendrils of the vine are specialized, thin, thread-like structures that are sensitive to touch. This probably explains why they will coil around any stationary object (dead or alive) to provide stability and support for the vine’s growth.
In other words, using their tendrils, vines would climb or coil around nearby growing plants or metal rods to achieve their primary objective to reach for the sunlight the plant needs to grow. They grow on different types of soil and type of soil they grow on determines the what they produce. While they begin life as small shrubs on the forest floor, some woody vines have been known to grow as long as 3,000 feet! Vines could probably pass as the longest specie of plants, not the tallest mind you! Nevertheless, they are able to climb to the top of the tallest tree around and even overwhelm it. In fact vines have been known to make a tree fall as a result of the additional weight they put on it!
Vines can be grown using either seeds or cuttings in all types of terrain, although they struggle in tropical and extremely arid or cold climates. They are very beneficial to nature and are a permanent fixture of conservation areas. The ones that fruit are easy to harvest and even those that do not bear fruit often grow beautiful flowers. Also, their versatile stem system offer a shade in hot climates. They therefore provide a variety of benefits to ecosystems and human life, including habitat for animals, soil stabilization, and even medicinal properties in some cases. They are also known for their efficient use of space which makes them ideal for smaller gardens or urban landscapes.
All these qualities make vines in general one of the most versatile, dynamic and adaptable plants that ever existed. Google says there are about 350,000 to 357,000 higher species currently recognized, with about 1,500 to 2,000 new species being discovered annually. Within that number, 295,383 are flowering plants. Because I was rather unsure of this incredible fact, I decided to modify my search. Apparently there was no mistake. It is said that European grape has between 5000 and 1000 species, Rainforest vines and lianas, over 2500 species, Passionflower, about 550 species and Grapevines alone 60 species!
I must have become obsessed with vines at some point, because I now see them everywhere around me. No, not hallucination. Real life! I can now spot them very easily and often stop to scrutinize those thin, ropy stems crisscrossing any available space in woody areas. I study their delicate stems with their usually lighter green stalks sticking out of shrubs and trees along hedges. I even sometimes see them tightly coiled around metal fences undeterred from their objective to reach the sunlight! I sometimes reach out to pluck and study them closely, and et me tell you, you need both hands to pluck off even the thinnest stem on a vine. A vine is not to be handled carelessly or treated casually or you will find you have to deal with the whole plant from its unending origin! Let me assure you that would be a daunting task if you are not prepared for it.
And there’s more! Vines may not be the most glamorous or showy plants, but they are an essential part of our daily life whether you realize it or not. Would you believe that tomatoes, yes, that fruit that is used like a vegetable in probably every kitchen in different parts of the world is actually a vine! And the same goes for kiwis, passion fruit, and watermelons, cantaloupes, and honeydew. Even blackberries, cucumbers and some squashes are also technically fruits that grow on vines! Not surprising then that grapevines, our specie of interest as there is no doubt that this is what our Lord Jesus was referring to in John 15, grow in many parts of the world. In fact, grapevines are said to be the most widely planted fruit on earth, with about 22 million acres dedicated to them.
We know that grapes must have been cultivated for wine-making since the time of Noah, when wine was first mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 9:20 -29)! That would be about 1,656 years after creation, when human lifespan lasted almost a thousand years! Vineyards were a vital part of Israel’s economy, and owning a prosperous vineyard was a sign of prosperity. In the Old Testament, Israel is frequently portrayed as a vine, to illustrate their identity as the people specially chosen by God, and destined for His blessings as long as the relationship thrived, and also the source of God’s blessings to the rest of the world. In fact, going as far back as 6000 years BCE, the grapevine is said to symbolize life, growth, renewal and interconnectedness in many spiritual traditions. It is also often associated with fertility and abundance, especially in the Mediterranean and Near East, covering parts of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Do you know that a single, healthy, and mature grapevine can produce around 20 to 40 grape clusters. Not a cluster with 20-40 grapes, mind you. 20 to 40 clusters on one single cultivated vine in a vineyard!!! And that word, ‘cultivated’ is key. Apparently, when harvested, one such vine can yield roughly 2.5 pounds of grapes, which is enough to make a bottle of wine. No wonder wine is still so expensive in spite of having been around like forever! The disciples that Jesus addressed in John 15 must therefore have been very familiar with vines and the role of the vinedresser, which further explains why Jesus Christ chose it to describe Himself and His relationship with His followers.
My musings held sway at this point as I considered the fact that the universality of terrain, and the mild, moderate climate that are key to cultivating good grapes could symbolize the universal relevance of Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, and the world-wide coverage of the Body of Christ (Church) today. The imperceptible but relentless way that Christianity penetrated different cultures, tongues and tribes all over the world also reminds me the way the vine climbs any object in its path to get where it must. It is a fact that the Christian faith is the only religion that has been able to achieve that feat! Indeed whosoever wills may come!
The mild, moderate climate (not too tropical, not too arid and not too freezing), in which grapes thrive also reminds me of the mildness that should typify Christians who are who are described as sheep in the midst of wolves in Matthew chapter 10, verse 16. The same passage also urges followers of Christ to be gentle as doves. Also, Apostle Paul urges us in Philippians 4: 5, to avoid an extremist lifestyle. The King James version puts in old English as: Let your moderation be known to all men. The New International version translates it as: Let your gentleness be evident to all, and the New Living Translation version states: Let everyone see you are considerate in all you do.
I share all these versions because they capture the essence of the exhortation which focuses on how Christians are to interact with others. It implies self-control, willingness to yield, not insisting on their rights, being considerate of others, and of course, moderation, modesty and decency in all things. By extension, I understand this to mean that under no circumstances should Christians be overzealous fanatics or obnoxious especially while sharing the Good News. Nor should they be legalistic or worldly in outlook, or live a compromising or overindulgent life. Neither should they be overbearing or excessively deferential in their relationships. Nor too aggressive or too timid. Nor too stern or too easy-going. Nor too defensive or overconfident. I could go on but I still have some very interesting facts to share about the grapevine. So, stay with me please.
The grapevine has a single main trunk from which multiple branches called arms or cordons extend. The main trunk of a very young grapevine could be as thin as half an inch in diameter, while that of a 50 year old grapevine could be as much 6 inches in diameter. Other stems can root from nodes along the main trunk, creating new plants along the length of the vine which could go in a different direction. This explains why matured grapevines, especially neglected ones, often have gnarled trunks going in all directions. Not particularly impressive to look at, I admit, but you have to give it to them, grapevines are very resilient, with a very long life span! Pruning of grapevines is essential for optimal fruit production, and is done by cutting off the number of trunks, cordons and spurs to limit their number. This way, the ones that remain can benefit most from the essential nutrients that the trunk transfers from the roots to the branches. Grapevines grow and spread rapidly and some are perennial. While most grapevines lose their leaves seasonally, some are evergreen and they adapt easily and quickly to any environment.
Isn’t it intriguing that our Lord chose this delicate, dependent and by all purposes weak plant that can be so easily trod upon or pulled apart, to describe the holiness that distinguishes Him from all others. Unlike all others who claim to be god and have to project this image by oppressing others and bullying them into submission, our risen Lord, Jesus Christ, the True Vine, came from heaven in frail human flesh as a defenseless infant, through a miracle using submissive and inexperienced young woman, into a poor family, living in a world dominated by the physically strong and politically and religiously powerful.
God in flesh, protected as a child, taught as a young boy, despised as a man, yet teaching Eternal Truths about the Way of God, and offering Eternal Life by grace alone! Jesus the Messiah was a man like us yet without sin. His closest allies were mainly illiterate fishermen, despised tax collectors, former prostitutes, and other outcasts of the society. Like the vine, 1 Corinthians 1:27 tells us that God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.
In John 4:6 Jesus declared: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, No one can come to the Father except through me. He performed so many miracles to reveal His love, and to prove that His teachings and His claims about Himself are true. All He said and did was loving and good, as Apostle John makes clear in chapter 21:25 of his gospel: Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written. And regardless of the fact that He had the power to destroy all evil in the world, He submitted Himself to be crucified in the most gruesome manner by the people He came to save, so He could take away their sins and conquer the power of death that reigned over them!
Jesus the Son of God and Saviour of the world, still condescends to sinful man today, by allowing anyone to attach themselves to Him just by trusting Him. Like the True Vine, he is still caring for those of us who surrender our lives to Him. He is still feeding us by every word that proceeds from God (Matthew 4:4) which is like the trellis that stays firm to support us to stand tall. He still continues to prune each of us in the right way and at the right time to make us more fruitful (John 15:2). And He keeps our ‘tendrils’ of Faith supple, flexible and strong so that we can continuously reach out and cling to the ‘strong trellises’ of His Word. And so although “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:36-39)
We keep going higher every day, following the Path of Light and Life provided by the True Vine, as we continually aim longingly for the Sun of Righteousness, being assured of this: “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture (Malachi 4:2). Indeed, the Church keeps marching on, and the gates of hell shall not prevail… (Matthew 16:18).
All this reminds me of the lyrics, a song by Johnny Nash, Here Was a Man… I will end this part 2 by sharing the lyrics of the song because it says it all.
Here was a man a man who was born in a small village, the son of a peasant woman
He grew up in another small village
Until he reached the age of thirty he worked as a carpenter
Then for three years he was a traveling minister
But he never traveled more than two hundred miles from where he was born
And where he did go he usually walked
He never held political office, he never wrote a book never bought a home
Never had a family, he never went to college and he never set foot inside a big city
Yes here was a man…
Though he never did any of the things usually associated with greatness
He had no credentials but himself; he had nothing to do with this world
Except through the divine purpose that brought him to this world
While he was still a young man the tide of popular opinion turned against him
Most of his friends ran away, one of them denied him
One of them betrayed him and turned him over to his enemies
Then he went through the mockery of a trial
And was nailed to a cross between two thieves
And even while he was dying his executioners gambled
For the only piece of property that he had in this world
And that was his robe his purple robe
When he was dead he was taken down from the cross
And laid in a borrowed grave provided by compassionate friends
More than nineteen centuries have come and gone
And today he’s a centerpiece of the human race
Our leader in the column to human destiny
I think I’m well within the mark when I say that all of the armies that ever marched
All of the navies that ever sailed the seas
All of the legislative bodies that ever sat and all of the kings that ever reigned
All of them put together have not affected the life of man on this earth
So powerfully as that one solitary life
Here was a man (joy to the world the Lord is come)
