Abide – The Divine Offer

Funny how you can read a passage dozens of times, and all of the sudden something pops out and rocks your world. Such was the case over the past few days mulling over this one.

“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. I 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. If 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. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 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. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:4-11 ESV [emphasis added]

Looks like Jesus was serious about us understanding the importance of “abide“, right? I mean, He used the word 9 times in this passage. There is significance in the number 9 in the Bible. There is more at the link, here’s a portion of the text on that page: “Used 49 times in Scripture, the number 9 symbolizes divine completeness or conveys the meaning of finality. Christ died at hour nine of the day, or 3 p.m., to make the way of salvation open to everyone. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) is the only one of God’s annual Feast days of worship that requires believers to fast for one day. This special day, considered by many Jews to be the holiest of the year, begins at sunset on day 9 of the seventh Hebrew month (Leviticus 23:32).”

So, stepping back, I have considered abide. Several words come to mind, they are in the image…adding them here. Abide. Dwell. Reside. Linger. Stay. Live, Hang Out. Settle. Depend. Relax. Establish. Thrive. Grow. Flourish. Multiply. Produce. Fruitful. And today, I add one more – my “one word” – shine!

This is an incredible offer…the divine gift available to abide in His love…and our joy will be full!

Let’s do this!

– ♥ RG