Jesus the True Vine

Why is it that Jesus calls himself the true vine in John 15:1 rather than just a vine or the vine? Why is it necessary for him to say he is the "TRUE VINE"? He must be comparing himself to a vine that is mentioned in scripture somewhere else. So is there a point to what he's saying? Obviously Jesus is not wasting words. There is an important message in Jesus' words for those who are willing to hear. So who or what is this other vine? Hint -Psalm 80:8; Isa. 5:1-7; Jer. 2:21 Israel. Israel is repeatedly called a vine in the Old Testament.

If Israel is a vine and Jesus is the "True Vine" then Jesus wants us to know he is the faithful Israel who perfectly fulfilled God's righteous requirements where national Israel always failed. Some will say this is reading too much into what Jesus has said here but there is more. In Matthew 2:15 a much ignored passage, Jesus fulfills a prophecy that is thought to be refering to national Israel (Hosea 11:1). Then there's the obvious John 3:16, Jesus is God's one and only begotten son while Israel is God's firstborn son (Exodus 4:22). This is not a contradiction. It's prophetic of Jesus. There is a point to be made that Jesus puts himself in the place of national Israel. The True Vine therefore indicates not a change in the promises of God but rather a clarification as to how those promises are fulfilled to God's chosen people who live/lived by faith. The important point is the faith not the ethnic origin of God's chosen people since Jesus is the true Israel. The "everlasting" promises made to Israel are really made to Jesus the true Israel who is the heir of all things (Heb 1:2; Col 1:16 [He is the only one deserving anything])and given through him to all those who are in/clothed with Him through faith (Galations 3:16,26-27). This includes all believers of all time including those associated with ancient Israel as well as those believers in New Testament times. They are all saved by the blood of the New Covenant Christ (Matthew 26:26-28)and have all been made into the one body, Christ-Israel-the church.

When we understand what it means that Jesus is the true vine- the true Israel, we realize this truth becomes a key to understanding the scriptures. It doesn't threaten the promises made to the BELIEVERS of ancient Israel it clarifies how they as well as we who are grafted in among them (Romans 11:17)obtain those promises. It makes us realize that the Old Testament promises do have relevance for us today because they are given to Jesus who we are united to. We are one with him and what is his. Think of the undeserved honor he has given us.