Day 2
Abide
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
Jesus uses the term “abide” ten times within the first ten verses of John 15. Greek origins of the word “abide” point to the idea of “dwelling,” “remaining,” “being present,” and “being held and kept.”
Using the imagery of a vineyard, Jesus teaches us that we exist to bear spiritual fruit for His glory. I used to think the fruit Jesus was talking about centered on evangelizing and growing the kingdom, leading others to Christ. While there is an element of truth in that interpretation, I now believe the central truth of His teaching is that we are to become more like Christ, producing the Fruit of His Spirit in our daily walk. The more we reflect the true Spirit of Christ, the more effective our evangelistic efforts will be. But apart from Christ, we can do nothing. More on that in a moment.
As Vinedresser, God is very intentional in His actions to produce the highest yield of spiritual fruit in our lives. He wants every branch to produce an abundance of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He actively prunes and discards attitudes or actions that do not reflect these Christ-like characteristics. Specific things like lust, envy, fear, gloom, irritation, curtness, animosity, selfishness, disobedience, harshness, or a lack of self-discipline are destined to be trimmed away and thrown into the fire. Pruning is not intended to hurt us, or to lessen who we are. Rather, it is an essential part of the process of transformation and renewal (Romans 12:2).
As branches, we cannot bear fruit by ourselves (verse 4). Only by connecting to the One True Vine will we be able to produce anything of lasting value. We bring glory to God and the fullness of Christ’s joy to ourselves when we abide in His love (verse 11).
A few verses later, as Jesus is preparing to face the horrors of his own crucifixion, He says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (verse 13). Now let’s flash forward to the day of His resurrection and the encounter that two of His disciples had with the risen Christ on their way to Emmaus.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them (Luke 24:28-29).
Do you see it? Jesus went in to stay with them, to be present with them, to abide with them. Only after Jesus broke the bread did they finally recognize Him. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road” (verse 32). What a beautiful picture of abiding: a heart-to-heart connection with our risen Lord!
The 1800’s hymn “Abide with Me” is based on this encounter with Jesus. The first verse reads:
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me
Abiding in Jesus means listening to Him while we walk down the paths He has placed before us. Remaining with Him, being held and kept by Him. Without Him, we can do nothing. With Him, we can do exceedingly more than we ever imagined.
FURTHER REFLECTION:
Are you actively bearing fresh fruit?
What are some of your attitudes and actions that need to be pruned?
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, come and abide with me today and every day. Hold me fast and keep me rooted in Your perfect love. Forgive my disobedient and wandering heart, and purge those things from my life that do not produce lasting fruit. May You receive all of the glory! Amen.
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
John 15: 1-13, Romans 12:1-2, Luke 24: 13-35
by Robert Roose