Stay

Jesus had been with the disciples nearly three years when He shared the Last Supper with them before His crucifixion. His disciples had come to believe and trust in Him, but they had also come to laugh with Him, mourn with Him, eat with Him, and walk with Him.

As the Lord said, they had become His friends (John 15:15).

Jesus knew what was going to happen. He knew He was going to get mocked, beaten, and crucified. He knew His disciples would abandon him, and that Peter, His leader, would deny even knowing Him. Jesus knew these things.

But He also knew that He would rise again, and that the same disciples who abandoned Him would plant His church among the nations. He knew that Peter, who denied Him, would eventually give his own life for Him and His people.

Jesus knew this. He always knew this.

So in John 15, Jesus says to His disciples, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you… 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.”

In Greek the word “Remain” (or “Abide” in some translations) primarily means “to stay” or “to continue.” The idea is one of staying in a certain place place or continuing on a certain way. It means to remain instead of leave. To keep going instead of stopping.

Jesus is calling His disciples to stay. They have already come to know and believe in Him. Now, in the face of suffering and hardship, He calls them to continue in His way.

To use the phrase coined by many, He is calling them to a “long obedience in the same direction.”

Christianity is not a one-time decision; instead it is coming to know a Person and then staying with Him.

Staying is hard. It is hard for me. To act like it’s not would be to cover up reality.

But staying is the only way to True Life.

“As the Father has loved me so I have loved you. Now remain in my love.” This is Jesus’ words to His people. To His friends. He promises that He’s not going anywhere and that the only way forward is to remain on the path.

With Him.

Follower of Jesus, keep going. Hear the loving words of your Shepherd:

“Abide.”

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you.”

Keep going.

Continue.

Stay.