=I. The Parable= (1-8). _The Vine_ itself must be good and true, planted in soil prepared for it. Husbandman places, cares for, and watches over it. Unfruitful branches must be cut off, fruitful ones purged--to produce more fruit--dead ones burned. Much fruit redounds to glory of husbandman. _The meaning._ Christ Himself is the true ideal Vine, doing always such things as please God. The husbandman is God, who placed Him in the world (iii. 16) and watched over Him (St. Matt. iii. 17). The branches are believers joined to Him by living faith. Fruit--the graces of a Christian life. What are results of union with Christ the Vine? _Life_ to the soul from life of Christ. _Fruit_ outward result of inward life. _Answers_ to prayer. Christ and His people alike heard. _Glory_ to God the Father. =II. Results of Union= (9-16). Metaphor dropped. Christ urges disciples to continue in His love. Then they will have _full joy_; _love_ to all arising from love to Him; _friendship_ of Christ as evidenced by His death for them; _knowledge_ because of revelation of Father. _Permanence_ of results. =Lesson.= Are we truly joined to Christ? What fruit is seen in our lives? Joy through Faith. Bunyan, in "The Pilgrim's Progress," pictures Christiana as saying to Mercy, "What was the matter that you did laugh in your sleep last night?" And Mercy said, "But are you sure I laughed?" When she told her dream, Christiana said, "Laugh, ay, well you might to see yourself so well." She laughed because she dreamed that she had been welcomed into glory. To faith this is no dream. Saved by grace, adopted by the Father, united to the Son, taught by the Spirit, we have joy in the soul now and a good hope of glory hereafter. MAY 14TH.--=Christ Betrayed and Arrested.= _To read--St. John xviii. 1-14. Golden Text--Is. liii. 3._ Christ's hour now come--has finished teachings--must go forth to die. Path of sorrow to be trod--He does not shrink. =I. Christ Betrayed= (1-11). _The place._ The garden or olive orchard of Gethsemane. Note that Christ went forth of His own will, knowing all before Him. Also He went not for concealment, but for prayer. _The band._ Judas, His disciple, their leader. A band of Roman soldiers to prevent a tumult, and officers of the Temple police supplied by chief priests. Also chief priests and elders, and a mixed rabble (St. Luke xxii. 52). All had common hatred of Jesus of Nazareth. _The incidents._ Jesus comes forth with His three disciples, Peter, James, John. He asks, "Whom seek ye?" Soldiers fall back in surprise. He asks again--they answer. He asks that disciples may go their way. Request granted; He lost none. St. Peter with sword wounds Malchus. Christ heals his ear (St. Luke xxii. 51) and rebukes Peter. Note the forbearance and majesty of Christ; the loving impetuosity of St. Peter; the malice of Judas and the gratified hatred of chief priests.