It has been said that this is the most beautiful sentence in all the Gospels: “I am the vine, you are the branches.” For certain, it is the clearest and strongest statement in the entire New Testament of the closeness of our relationship with Jesus.
It’s something I could never earn. No branch ever earned its way onto the vine. No child ever earned its way into a family. No human being ever earns his or her way into the heart of Jesus.
In effect, Jesus says, “I love you and that’s that. All I ask is that you respond.” Our connection with him is pure gift.
And what a gift it is. Consider the difference between two scenarios.
Scenario #1: I listen to the word of the Lord and then try to go out and live up to it on my own.
Scenario #2: I am connected to the Lord, as a branch to a vine. I remain connected, always, everywhere. Thus I am able to draw upon the Lord’s own goodness and let it flow into the everyday stuff of my life.
The latter scenario can make a day look a lot different. “Here we go, Lord. You and I. Together. I’ll do my best, but, remember, I’m depending on you. You’re the vine…I’m the branch.”
“Apocryphal" is a Greek word that means "hidden away.” It refers to stories or writings not considered authentic. Some of the apocryphal gospels include:
• The Gospel of Thomas: Written in the mid-second century, this claims to contain 113 sayings of Jesus.
• The Gospel of Matthias: Written in about 150 A. D., it purportedly contains secret words of Jesus spoken to Thomas and written down by Matthias.
• The Gospel of Bartholomew: Written in the third or fourth century, it has the Risen Lord answering Bartholomew’s questions about the descent into hell. Also, Mary tells Bartholomew about the annunciation. Even Satan is interviewed about the fall of the angels.
• The Gospel of Judas: No copy of this has been preserved, but early writers talk about it. Apparently it taught that Judas, by a secret revelation, knew that the crucifixion would bring about the salvation of the world, and this was the reason for his treachery.
• The Gospel of Mary Magdalene: Written in about the third century, this supposedly contains teachings of Jesus after his Resurrection, which he passed on to Mary Magdalene.