Jesus said: - John 15:1-5
(1) "I am the real vine and my Father is the gardener."
(2) "He breaks off every branch in me that does not bear
fruit, and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit,
so that it will be clean and bear more fruit."
(3) "You have been made clean already by the teaching I
have given you."
(4) "Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you.
A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only
if it remains in the vine. In the same way, you cannot
bear fruit unless you remain in me."
(5) "I am the vine, and you are the branches. Whoever
remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit; for
you can do nothing without me."
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Jesus is explaining the facts of life to his disciples in
the above teaching, They understood what he was saying to
them, yet, to the average person today (2000 years later)
What does this teaching mean?
What do we know of this parable?
We know that the words of Jesus are directed to the true-man,
(the soul).
We know that Jesus taught the people through parables.
We know that the parables have hidden meanings contained
within them.
We know then, that the real and true meaning of this teaching
is not what it reads literally.
So. what does it mean? What was Jesus really saying?
The only true answer is that no one today can know precisely
what Jesus meant. Some would argue that given the facts that
the scriptures are translated from Hebrew, Greek, Latin, etc.
and by vested interests of the day, that the true meaning is
long lost. They are entitled to their opinion.
Believers in Jesus are also entitled to their opinion!
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The following is a hypothetical exercise only and is designed
for conversation and debate on and about the meaning of the
teachings of Jesus, who is our saviour.
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Playing the WHAT IF game, - changing a noun here and a verb
there, perhaps we can come to an understanding of what the
real teaching is?
What if the noun 'VINE' meant 'LIFE'?
What if the noun 'GARDENER' meant 'OVERSEER' (caretaker)
What if the noun 'BRANCHES' meant 'LIVING SOULS'?
What if the verbs 'PRUNES and BREAKS ' meant 'TENDS TO ' (removes)
What if 'BEARS FRUIT' meant 'LIVES IN LOVE'?
What if 'MADE CLEAN' meant 'AWAKENED TO TRUTH'?
Now we are ready to cast a little light on this teaching.
( HYPOTHETICALLY OF COURSE )
John 15 (1) 'I am the real life and God is the overseer.'
(2) 'He removes every living soul in me that does not
live in love, and tends every living soul that does
live in love so that it will be awakened to truth and
live in love more abundantly.'
(3) 'You have been awakened already by the teaching I
have given you.'
(4) 'Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you.
A living soul cannot live in love by itself; it can do
so only if it remains in the true life. in the same way,
you cannot live in love unless you remain in me.'
(5) 'I am the life, and you are the living souls. Whoever
remains in me and I in him will live in love eternal.
You can do nothing without me.'
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Jesus said: John 5:26
(26) "Just as the Father is Himself the source of life,
in the same way He has made His Son to be the source
of life."
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The true-man is the soul you are! --- Soul is the child of God!
NOT the physical man - and NOT the ego!
Always remember - You do not possess a soul - YOU ARE SOUL!
