Scripture Reflections

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch…that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit… Abide in me, and I in you… 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… If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you… As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
John 15:1-10

We heard these familiar words of Jesus last Sunday. They have, no doubt, been a great comfort to many of you over the years. The call to simply “abide” in our Savior releases us from the sense that we are responsible for our own fruit. We don’t have to be strong enough, wise enough, or holy enough for the task before us—we simply must remain in Jesus. If we do, he will work through us. This is good news, comforting news!

It is easy to slip into the belief that we have to handle life ourselves, but our Lord is telling us that our primary task is not success, accomplishment, or even a particular level of holiness. Instead, our task is closeness to him. If we cling to Jesus, he promises to bear fruit through us, and promises that the Father will prune and cleanse us. If we cling to Jesus, the Father will lead us onward and grow us up in the ways we need.

For many of us, this raises the question, “How?” We want to abide in our Savior, but each day we feel pulled away. This is where Jesus’ teaching is simple and clean, like good water to the thirsty soul. As he says, we abide in him by letting his words abide in us (v. 7). There are many days when we make things more complicated than they need to be! The call is simple—we are to let his words abide in us. We are to read them, listen to them, memorize them, meditate on them. If his words abide in us, we will abide in him. And later, he says, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love” (10). Again, the call is simpler than we might expect. We don’t have to figure everything out, develop new strategies, or walk in our own strength. Instead, Jesus asks us to simply say “yes” to what he has commanded. We are to say “yes” to forgiveness, “yes” to purity, and “yes” to love. His commands aren’t obscure, and those who keep them will remain in his love.

As you look at the week ahead, let the words of Jesus abide in you, and as you hear his commands, say “yes” to him. In so doing, you will be clinging tightly to Jesus!

-Steven+