David Bahn – Reflections

When it comes to centering our hearts in any truth, and building our lives on any specific foundation, Jesus offers that center: “Abide in my love,” he says (v. 9).

John 15:1-11

[Jesus says,] ¹“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵I 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. ⁶If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. ⁹ As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. ¹⁰ 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. ¹¹These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Recently author Anne Rice disavowed Christianity but said she is still a follower of Christ. Apparently all other Christians have it wrong and only Anne has it correctly understood and applied. That was sarcasm in case you didn’t catch it!

We want to make love for Jesus completely its own; as though we don’t have to love our neighbor as long as we love Jesus. Indeed loving Jesus is difficult enough. He does have a tendency to get in the way of our selfishness, laziness, greed, and – oh, yes – our lack of love for one another.

There’s just one minor catch in regard to abiding in Jesus’ love while disavowing Jesus’ followers: he loves all people. And his command (look closely at verse 10!) is that we love one another (John 15:12). To keep Jesus’ commandment is to abide in Jesus’ love. That’s not easy. It’s often not convenient. It requires more than simple words. It requires Jesus’ love itself. His love for us makes possible our love for others. Connected to the vine we’re connect to Jesus and to one another.