Remain // John 15:4-5

John 15:4-5 (NIV) | 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. “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.

Today’s passage comes from words Jesus spoke to His disciples in preparation for His betrayal, arrest, death and resurrection. He told them to remain in Him. I’m sure they didn’t think anything of it when He first spoke those words, but it would not take long before they felt the proverbial heat. Jesus knew the temptation would come to deny their faith and/or flee out of fear. They did. Of course, their encounter with the Resurrected Lord emboldened and they became the people Jesus needed and always knew they could be.

We will undoubtedly face things in life that will tempt us to deny our faith. We want to represent Jesus, but the threats we might face can cause us to shrink when Jesus needs us to get big. So, what are we to do? Remain. Stay close to Jesus. Know that fear is a natural part of the human condition, but it need not control you; rather, ask Jesus to give you the courage you need so you can boldly face whatever comes. It’s hard under our power, but much easier with Jesus; therefore, what we need to do is remain.

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