“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.” John 15: 9-17
In a culture where increasingly we are readily exposed to offensive, inconsiderate, or unloving acts, even within the church, it is easy to forget who we are in Christ Jesus. Yet, our sincerest desire to abide in faithfulness and love requires that we persevere and remain steadfast, unmovable, and bound by the grace of God. We are called to staying power! But how?
Lately, I find myself meditating on John’s farewell discourse. The gospel writer presents Jesus’ imperative that the disciples remain anchored in Him. Using the metaphor of the grapevine to expound further, Jesus suggests that the disciples are to have the kind of relationship with him that branches of the grapevine have with the main stem. Anyone who has observed fruit that grows on the vine recognizes that all of the nutrients, the vital components organic to and necessary for remaining healthy and productive, are tied to the main stem, which is planted and rooted in fertile soil. The branches cannot be fruitful to live into their purpose without being connected to the vine – this is the kind of close relationship that Jesus defines as ‘abiding’ in him. But Jesus does not stop there; the disciples can expect that Jesus will abide in them. An undeniable mutuality critically defines the relationship between disciples and the Lord. Likewise, this same mutuality is the crux of the relationship within the Trinity itself. Each divinely defined relationship, Jesus and the disciples, the Trinity, is founded on love. Jesus makes clear that abiding in one another is impossible without love. Jesus then goes a step further by defining his expectations using the relationship he enjoys with the Father. Jesus calls for both the horizontal and the vertical relationship we abide by as Christians with uncompromising love.
Jesus’ love for the disciples is an active love that is willing to give up all, to sacrifice what is most precious, life so that others can live. Jesus lets the disciples know that the initiation of this love relationship, which began at the foundation of creation, has been, is, and will always be present.
Increasingly, I must be diligent in remaining steadfast in God’s love. God’s love breaks down barriers and calls outsiders to be insiders. It is the kind of love that brings healing and liberates those held captive. Love in this vein is the kind of love that solidifies friendships and encourages communities of wholeness. Communities that cultivate friendships based on mutual love provide the sustaining power needed to persevere in our Christian walk, especially during the hardest of times. When was the last time you befriended someone that did not look like you, lived where you live, talked like you talk? Or even believe what you believe? When was the last time you felt a surge of energy because you offered hospitality with no expectation but were surprised by overwhelming inward joy? One practice that sustains my capacity for the ever-sustaining power of the Holy Spirit, which compels me to love, is singing. The song that recently has saturated has a refrain that says, “love lifted me, love lifted me when nothing else could help, love lifted me!” When I feel like I’m sinking, I am reminded that love lifted me.
PRAYER: Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to reconcile the world to yourself: We praise and bless you for your sustaining love. We thank you for the power of the Spirit to proclaim your good news to a broken world and for reminding us of your selfless love. We thank you that communities of love gather together and remain faithful in all parts of the world because of prayers and acts of welcome we engage in your Name. Let us be mindful that in ways we may not always understand that when we live your love, we attest to the truth that the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours forever. Amen.
