Abiding in Christ

Staying attached to him as a vine.

Abiding…

This passage is one strong explanation for why we need to daily seek Christ in the scriptures. There are other important ways that help us stay connected to the life of Christ himself (prayer, community, the Spirit). But returning to these gospels regularly helps us, in great part, fulfill the image Christ speaks of here in John 15. This is particularly so such that we know who Christ truly is and not some caricature our hearts and minds make up according to what benefits us.

This is the seventh and final of the major I AM images Jesus gives in John.

Remain in me, and I will remain in you.

John 15:1-8

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vineyard keeper. He removes any of my branches that don’t produce fruit, and he trims any branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit. You are already trimmed because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch can’t produce fruit by itself, but must remain in the vine. Likewise, you can’t produce fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything. If you don’t remain in me, you will be like a branch that is thrown out and dries up. Those branches are gathered up, thrown into a fire, and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples.

Psalm 128:1-3

Everyone who honors the Lord, who walks in God’s ways, is truly happy! You will definitely enjoy what you’ve worked hard for—you’ll be happy; and things will go well for you. In your house, your wife will be like a fruitful vine your children will be like young olive trees surrounding your table.

Prayer¹

God,

Teach my heart where and how to seek you, where and how to find you. You are my God and you are my all and I have never seen you. You have made me and remade me,
you have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, still I do not know you. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek you. I cannot seek you unless you teach me, or find you unless you show yourself to me. Let me seek you in longing, let me long for you in seeking. Let me find you in love and love you in finding.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.

1. Adapted from St. Anselm.