1. “I am the true vine.” The essence of this comparison is that by nature we are barren and dry except insofar as we have been grafted into Christ and draw a new power from him, from outside ourselves. As the Greek word translated “branches” sometimes means “vines,” and the Greek word translated “vine” sometimes means “vineyard,” I am more inclined to think that Christ is comparing himself with a field planted with vines, and comparing us to the plants themselves. However, I will not quarrel with