Remain in Me...

…and I will remain in you !” (John 15:4)

Jesus gives us an invitation that looks simple on the surface, but is huge in depth: the Christian life isn’t “doing for God,” it’s “living from God.”

What does Jesus mean by “abide in me”?

First of all, a living, continual, and thoughtful relationship. Jesus isn’t asking us for performance; that isn’t the most important thing !

In “abide,” Jesus also means “make your home in me”—don’t just drop in for a visit from time to time !

He calls us into true communion: a real, ongoing closeness that will nourish us. He also reminds us that he is the source of all fruitfulness.

He continues with the image of the branch and the vine: a branch bears nothing by itself.

The message is clear: what has lasting value (fruit, character, love, obedience) doesn’t come from isolated effort, but from a life fed by Christ.

“Without me you can do nothing” = nothing that truly counts before God.

That doesn’t mean you can’t accomplish anything in life, but nothing spiritually alive—nothing that carries the fragrance of the Kingdom, nothing that deeply aligns you with God—can be produced independently of Jesus.

Then Jesus invites us into a joyful dependence !

We often think that depending means being weak. Jesus says the opposite: it’s the disciple’s health.

To abide is to learn to say: “Lord, I receive from you—thoughts, strength, love, wisdom—and I walk with you.”

Concretely, what should “abiding” look like ?

— returning to his Word; praying honestly to stay connected.
— obeying without arguing when the Word puts its finger on an issue in my life.
— persevering, even when we don’t “feel” anything anymore! Jesus has not forgotten us !

In this passage, Jesus connects “abiding” with love and commandments: to abide in his love = to keep his commandments (John 15:9–10). Obedience isn’t an optional bonus: it’s the concrete way to stay “plugged in” to the divine source.

What Jesus is aiming for:

— an obedience that flows from relationship: not obedience to earn, but obedience because we trust him.
— an obedience that keeps the connection. It’s like the branch: cutting off obedience often means cutting off the flow (peace, clarity, inner power).
— an obedience that produces fruit.

“Fruit” isn’t just activities ; it’s also: a transformed character, real love, patience, self-control, and also works that bless and powerfully testify to the people who watch us live out this relationship day by day.

Let’s not forget the next part of the discourse: John 15:6 — “If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown out like the branch and dries up; then they gather the branches, throw them into the fire, and they burn!” Those words should make us think !

Consider the promises in the verses that follow: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

“If you bear much fruit, so my Father will be glorified, and you will be my disciples.”

Let’s not let such promises get lost in the troubles of life, and let’s take Christ’s invitation seriously !

Franz