Download - Golden Vine

Transcript
Page 1: Golden Vine

Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus�

“The Golden Vine”�By Dr. Richard Booker�

Modern scholars have greater access to documents and research developments�relating to first-century Judaism than at any other time in history. Many scholars, who�only a few years ago were trying to disprove the Bible, are now working together to�gain a better understanding of the ancient culture in which Jesus lived. Archaeological�finds have become so plentiful that some have hailed these times as the beginning of�a golden age of biblical archaeology.�

All of these discoveries have not only given us further proof of the veracity of the�Bible, but have given us a greater understanding of the period in which Jesus lived�out His life on the earth and further evidence of the Jewishness of His teaching. He�was Jewish and His teachings reflect His Jewishness.�

The church at Rome was admonished by Paul that the Christian faith was never�intended to be a repudiation of its Jewish roots, but rather, the engrafted Gentile�Church was actually a branch that grew out of these roots (Rom. 11:18). The essence�of these teachings is that without Judaism there would be no Christianity.�

Perhaps the most convincing evidence of the thorough-going Jewishness of Jesus is�His method of teaching. Over the past fifty years, studies of the Jewish nature of the�early Church have brought to light many new insights into the first century docu-�ments, especially concerning the idioms and Galilean teaching methods of Jesus. In�these articles we will study some of the more common idioms in the life of Jesus and�His disciples.�

An interesting Jewish concept can be seen in the illustration of the True Vine in John�15:1.�

Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser."�

At the time of Jesus, a golden grapevine was draped across the four columns at the�entrance to the Temple. Josephus records that its beauty was such that it was known�as a marvel of size and artistry to all who saw with what costliness of material it had�been constructed.�

The Mishnah says that people would sometimes make a freewill offering by purchas-�ing a golden leaf, berry, or cluster which the priests would then attach to this vine.�

Page 2: Golden Vine

Often those who gave generously to the Temple had their names inscribed on the�golden leaves. This was a custom that all were familiar with in Jerusalem.�

When Jesus depicted Himself as the True Vine, He was undoubtedly contrasting�Himself with this artificial vine, suggesting that if the disciples would offer them-�selves to Him to the degree that people offered their substance to this golden�symbol, the result would be abundant spiritual fruit.�

Personal Application�

As modern believers, we can sometimes focus on the religious symbol represented�by the golden vine and miss the true vine of Messiah's life. May we always seek the�Lord Himself rather than religious activities that might make us feel good but do not�help us walk with God.�

About Dr. Richard Booker�Richard Booker, MBA, Ph.D., is an ordained Christian minister, President of Sounds of the�Trumpet, Inc., and the Founder/Director of the Institute for Hebraic-Christian Studies.�

He is the author of thirty books which are used by churches and Bible schools around the�world. He has also developed many seminars and Bible college level courses and writes regu-�larly for Christian magazines.�

Dr. Booker has traveled extensively for over thirty years teaching in churches and at confer-�ences on various aspects of the Christian life as well as Israel and the Hebraic roots of Christianity.�

Dr. Booker and his wife, Peggy, lead yearly tour groups to Israel where, for eighteen years, Dr. Booker was a�speaker at the International Christian Celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem attended by over�5,000 believers from 100 nations.�

Dr. Booker’s teachings are designed to help believers better understand the Bible and their covenant God. He�has a God-given ability to communicate the Scriptures in clear, easy-to-understand language with practical ap-�plication for everyday Christians that brings life out of the Bible and into people’s hearts.�

Dr. Booker and Peggy founded the Institute for Hebraic-Christian Studies (IHCS) in 1997 as a ministry to edu-�cate Christians in the Hebraic culture and background of the Bible, build relationships between Christians and�Jews, and give comfort and support to the people of Israel.�

Their tireless work on behalf of Christians and Jews has been recognized around the world as well as being rep-�resented at the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus.�Dr. Booker has a daily television program which can be seen on the internet at www.godslearningchannel.com�and around the world via satellite. He has produced over 350 programs.�

 Dr. Booker is a spiritual father to many believers around the world.�

Visit Dr. Richard Booker online:�www.drrichardbooker.com or www.rbooker.com�

Sounds of the Trumpet, Inc.�Institute for Hebraic-Christian Studies�

4747 Research Forest Dr., # 180-330 (For Mail & Packages ONLY)�The Woodlands TX 77381�