E. Stanley Jones was a missionary, a theologian, and a prolific writer. In his devotional book titled In Christ he shows that the life of Christ (the Vine) is expressed through us (the branches):
"Perhaps the clearest metaphor of the life in Christ is to be found in the Vine and the branches in John 15:1-11. Here the mutuality of our abiding in Him and of His abiding in us is most clearly seen.
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. (vss. 5-8.)
"The Vine-and-the-branches figure cannot be pushed beyond original intentions, but it does mean that the Vine and the branches share a common life--the life in the Vine is the same as the life in the branches. We share not merely the same intentions and the same purposes, but also the same life. That is breath-taking. It actually means that we live by the life of Another. 'It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me'--all my thoughts interfused with His thought, all my emotions interfused with His emotions, and all my acts with His acts. This is renewal by regeneration--everything reborn.
"Does that mean that we are thereby divine? No, for there is this difference: the Vine sustains the branches--the branches do not sustain the Vine. It is true that the Vine cannot express itself except through the branches; so Christ has tied Himself to us as far as the expressions of His life and work are concerned in this world. Amazing limitation which Christ has imposed on Himself! No other hands but ours, no other feet but ours, no other tongue but ours! Amazing identification!
"'O Jesus, Thy incarnation in flesh and blood amazes me, but this continuous incarnation in our flesh and blood, limiting Thyself to us and our willingness to express that incarnation--this humbles me to the dust, and raises me to the highest heaven. Amen.'"
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John Chapter Six
What Does It Really Say?
"And behold, thou shalt be dumb and unable to speak until the day when these things come to pass, BECAUSE THOU HAST NOT BELIEVED MY WORDS, WHICH WILL BE FULFILLED IN THEIR PROPER TIME." Luke 1:20.
Saint John, New Testament, Chapter Six...
This chapter is so important in explaining the "true presence" of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
Following is a verse by verse explanation. If you will read the whole chapter, you will not find any verse to indicate Jesus was speaking figuratively, or in parables.
He was speaking literally as the context of the chapter plainly shows.
One of the basic rules of Bible interpretation is, if something is said only once in Scripture, it might be taken figuratively, but if it is repeated three times, it is to be taken literally.
Jesus repeated His message in John Chapter six, nine different ways, or nine times.
Continue...
PS: Private interpretation of Scriptures can be exceedingly harmful to self and others. This has divided Christianity into hundreds if not tens of thousands of segments.
Too many individuals claim their position is right and are unwilling to freely discuss the position taken or to be submissive to moral authorities.
Holding to a personal position, or one of heretical source, places one's eternal soul in jeopardy. Such people often become instruments that lead others to perdition.
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