Artificial Intelligence. When it first emerged, the biggest challenge was having a computer beat a person playing poker. The games already conquered were chess, checkers, and backgammon. In these games every contest starts the same way and follows a consistent set of rules. These games evolve through an enormous, though finite, number of possible moves. To win the computer builds a tree, with each branch representing every possible move in the game. As the game progresses the computer selects the branch that has the best combination of moves attached to it. The power of mathematical computing allows the computer to trump its opponent.
In poker, the game of Texas Hold’em is altogether different. The dealt cards provide a myriad of possible combinations. Though, what surpasses the skill of Artificial Intelligence is to comprehend how the holder of the hand will play the cards. A branch of established moves cannot be constructed.
Jesus said, “I am the true vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” (Jn. 15:5) Spiritually attached to Jesus we are assured of our salvation, as we bear much fruit in service to the Kingdom. Apart from Jesus we are gambling with our lives; our very souls have no more assurance than a person playing Texas Hold’em against a computer. As a branch, we need the spiritual nourishment of our Lord.
In the Old Testament we know that the vine is used repeatedly as a symbol of Israel. The importance can be ascertained by the places in which it was engraved. The vine appeared on Jewish coinage. Inscribing a carving over the main door of the synagogue the congregation would choose from one of several designs: the paschal lamb, a pot of manna, Aaron’s rod, or the vine with grapes. On the great doors of the temple in Jerusalem there was a golden vine, with its branches hanging down from a great height.
The prophets used the vine to symbolize the degeneracy of Israel. Ezekiel said the inhabitants of Jerusalem are like the wood of a vine from which nothing can be made, and the branches once cut can only be burned. “Therefore, thus says the Lord God: Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give up the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” (Ezek. 15: 1-8) Ezekiel went on to say Israel was once like a splendid vine, but now it is like a vine transplanted in the wilderness and fit for nothing but destruction. “Now it is transplanted into the wilderness, into a dry and thirsty land. And a fire has gone out from its stem, has consumed its branches and fruit, so that there remains no strong stem, no scepter for ruling.” (Ezek.19:10-14) Isaiah stated that Israel is the vineyard of the Lord who cared for it, but Israel offered nothing in return. Isaiah recounted from God, “When I expected it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes?” The prophet went on to report that God “expected justice, but saw bloodshed.” (Isa. 5:1-7) Jeremiah heard God’s accusation against Israel, “Yet I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed. How have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine?” (Jer. 2:21) Hosea reported that Israel appears as a flourishing vine, but it has a false heart. “Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased the more altars he built; as his country improved, he improved his pillars. Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. The Lord will break down their altars, and destroy their pillars.” (Hos. 10:1-2)
The vine was a symbol representing Israel. The sages bemoaned how the people had desecrated their understanding of being a vine, an offshoot of God.
Jesus, when he spoke the words “I am the true vine,” made the claim that he is the Messiah and that in him the true destiny of Israel is consummated and fulfilled. That he is the one chosen of God in whom the new, the real, the true Israel finds life.
In John’s narrative this claim was made in the Upper Room, immediately after the Last Supper, that was liturgically represented in the serving of the bread and wine. The wine, of course, had come from grape vineyards. It is possible, some biblical scholars note, there was a vine that climbed its way up the wall of the house where the disciples fellowshipped that evening. The scholars suppose this may have been the case, as Jesus was ever attentive to his surroundings and the use of common everyday objects to clarify his teaching, perhaps tendrils were peeping round the window opening, providing Jesus exactly with the picture required. As Jesus was prone to impart a lesson when he could point to something to illustrate his point, one could assume the vine was nestled on the window sill.
When Jesus spoke these words “apart from me you can do nothing” to the disciples, and correspondingly to us this day, he was dictating that apart from him we are spiritually dead. A detached branch isn’t good for anything, except fuel for a fire. Once the branch is separated from the vine the wood is worthless, as it can only be gathered up and burned. So, the Christian apart from Jesus has no life and no usefulness in serving the Kingdom.
To be nourished in the Lord, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, disciplined himself to read five hours daily. He did most of his reading on horseback, traveling from one preaching location to another. While others in his profession consider traveling as “time wasted,” Wesley employed it as an opportunity for spiritual nurturing. In 1770, he reflected on this practice in his Journal. “Near thirty years ago, I was thinking, ‘How is it that no horse ever stumbles while I am reading?’ (History, poetry and philosophy I commonly read on horseback, having other employment at other times.) No account can possibly be given but this: because I throw the reigns on his neck….A slack reign will prevent stumbling.”
Forty years ago, upon learning of Wesley’s dedication, I pledged to read five hours daily. The thirty-five-hour weekly assignment is not frequently accomplished on my part; though more importantly is the desire and attempt to do so keeps me attached to the vine.
We must not be useless wood, but daily seek to be nourished in Christ through study, meditation, worship.