In picturesque imagery the Old Testament uses the vine to symbolize Israel. In its worship of the one God, Israel stood alone among the nations. Its spiritual enlightenment was its power. Its obedience to God was its success. So we read that God brought a vine out of Egypt and planted it. He nurtured and prospered it and caused it to take deep root. "I the Lord do keep it," He says of His vineyard, "I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day." Isa. 27:3; But when the Israelites sought after other gods —which they repeatedly did—they lost sight of God's care for His vine, national prosperity ceased, and the land became desolate.
From early times the Hebrews looked for the Messiah, but when he came, materialism had so darkened their outlook that they failed to recognize him.
Observing the Passover with his disciples on the night before the crucifixion, the Master showed them that the bread and the wine—the fruit of the vine—symbolized his demonstration of Life as Spirit. He showed them, too, that they must partake of this demonstration and emulate it. John's Gospel tells us much of what he said. He strengthened them; he foretold the coming of the Comforter, who would lead humanity into all truth and would abide with them forever. He said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman,"John 15:1; and he showed them their relationship to the vine. Then he prayed for his followers in every age and sealed them in oneness (see John, Chapters 14-17).
