Remain in me, as I also remain in you. John 15:4
Several years ago, we brought home an adult black cat named Juno from the local animal shelter. Truthfully, I only wanted help thinning our mice population, but the rest of the family wanted a pet. The shelter gave us rigorous instructions on how to establish a feeding routine that first week so Juno would learn our house was his home, the place he belonged and where he’d always have food and safety. This way, even if Juno might roam, he would always eventually come home.
If we don’t know our true home, we’re forever tempted to roam in vain search for goodness, love, and meaning. If we want to find our true life, however, Jesus said, “Abide in me” (John 15:4 esv). Biblical scholar Frederick Dale Bruner highlights how abide (like a similar word abode) evokes a sense of family and home. So Bruner translates Jesus’ words this way: “Stay at home in me.”
To drive this idea home, Jesus used the illustration of branches attached to a vine. Branches, if they want to live, must always stay at home, tenaciously fixed (abiding) where they belong.
There are many voices beckoning us with hollow promises to fix our problems or provide us some new “wisdom” or exhilarating future. But if we’re to truly live, we must remain in Jesus. We must stay at home.
The Vine and the Branches
15 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
INSIGHT
- What pulls you away from your home in Jesus?
- How has Jesus shown Himself to be your true source of life?
Acts 20:32–35 captures the apostle Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders, emphasizing selfless service and the blessing of generosity. As he prepares to leave, Paul entrusts them to God and His grace, which builds up believers and grants them an eternal inheritance (v. 32). He reminds them of his own example—how he worked hard to provide for himself and his companions, never seeking material gain (v. 34). Instead, he urged them to help the weak and to remember Jesus’ words: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (v. 35). This passage highlights the call to servant-hearted leadership, the importance of generosity, and the eternal rewards of living according to God’s grace.
PRAYER
Jesus, I like to roam. I’m pulled in all kinds of directions. But I want to stay at home with You. You’re my life. Help me to abide in You. In your name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: John 15:1-11 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Ruth 1-4; Luke 8:1-25
