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.


“Abide in Him”



John 15:4-7

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.





Our faith in God has some mysteries. Most of us still find it difficult to logically explain it. But those mysteries do not bother believers anymore because we fully know our finiteness and God’s infinity. It is only natural that we don’t fully understand who God is and what He does. The mysteries might be stumbling blocks to unbelievers. But It rather makes us honor God and make ourselves humble before God. One of such mysteries is the trinity. We have one God in three persons. That’s a mystery. No one can explain it fully. But we have no problem believing it. The mystery makes us revere God in greater awe. Another such mystery is the unity between Christ and believers. Believers are in Christ. Christ is in believers. How can that be? That’s a mystery. But that’s what Jesus emphasized repeatedly. Today’s passage is the best example of Christ emphasizing the unity between Him and us believers. The context of this teaching is the impending crucifixion of Christ. Jesus was talking to the disciples about His departure and return. But that does not mean either temporary suspension or closure in His relationship with disciples. Jesus tells them to remain in Him as He remains in them. He also said that He will be with them until the end of the world. How would He do that? It is a mystery. There is something that we don’t fully understand. But Jesus mentioned some preparations to bridge the gap between His departure and return. First, He mentioned the coming of the Holy Spirit. Secondly, He talks about the mystery of abiding in each other. He even said that we can not bear fruit if we don’t remain in Him. But How do we remain in Jesus when He departed us and is being seated at the right hand of God? That’s a mystery. I believe it doesn’t just mean that we remain in His words only, although it is partly true. The unity is more personal one. Jesus visited the disciples after the resurrection in person. Jesus appeared to Peter after ascension, telling him what to do about Cornelius. He appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus. Jesus continues to remain in us and with us in person. Of course, He does not remain with us in bodily form as He used to. But that doesn’t really matter, does it? Jesus remains in us. He sees and hears us and shares our joy and sorrow. What matters more is whether we remain in Him or not. He made all the preparations for us to remain in Him. We can continue to remain connected to Him through the Holy Spirit, through His words and more. I personally seek His presence and enjoy it so much. Remaining in Him or being in His presence gives me such comfort and strength every day. How about you? I am sure Jesus is more than eager to remain in us than we are eager to remain in Him. He is even knocking at the door of our hearts to be with us. Are you open to Him? I pray that you remain in Him and enjoy His presence everyday and bear fruits. Amen!