5th Thursday of Lent (March 26). Abide

Prepare to Listen.  You are the light of the world.
 
Prayerfully Read John 15:6-11
6Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.  7If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  8My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.  9As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.  10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.  11I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
 
Prayerfully Wonder
Six times Jesus urges his followers to abide in him, in his love and let his Word abide in them.  It’s not merely important.  It’s essential. Abide.  Be at home in an intimate love-relationship with Jesus.  It sounds easy enough, yet we struggle to remain.  I know I do.  How can we obey this seemingly simple command that is so beneficial for us?  How can I abide?

First, the vine imagery stresses that branches aren’t lone rangers.  There are many branches on the same vine.  We belong to each of them.  Remaining in the vine means remaining in relationship with other branches, our family in Christ.  As many saints have said, “One Christian is no Christian.  We go to God together or we don’t go at all.”
 
Second, stay in the Word.  Not only must we abide in Christ, but his words, commandments must abide in us.  The key to abiding in Christ is through his Word.  As Paul urged, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Col 3:16).  Spend meaningful time reading and absorbing Scripture, not just in church on Sundays, listening to podcasts, watching some preacher on TV.  But in personal regular and consistent reading of Scripture.  Prayerfully meditating, that is, repeating, mulling over, letting the word go from the head to the heart.[1]
 
Two key practices to abide in Christ—remain in a faith community and the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.  Make a plan to help you do both on a regular basis and ask Christ to help you.
 
Prayerfully Respond
Forgive me, Lord when I fail to take seriously abiding in you by abiding in your word and your people.  Amen.
 
Live obediently.  Abide in Christ and his love.
[1] If you want to learn to read the Bible meaningfully, you can read my article, “Reading the Bible for all you’re worth,” at: https://www.storymakerlife.com/reading-the-bible-for-all-yoursquore-worth.html