Serving Bread

I am preparing a sermon on John 15.4-11, where the main thrust of the sermon is on the imperative of abiding in Jesus. Until recently, I have read this discourse as an invitation to a mutual relationship with Jesus for the sake of fruit. My focus will often turn to ministry: If I want fruit in my ministry, I have to abide with Jesus.

But as I am preparing this message, I am noting a couple of new observations.

1. Jesus does a lot more of the work than we do. It is not an invitation to mutually abide, but an invitation to Jesus’s abiding in us. Jesus is already abiding in us. The question is whether we will abide in him. And because Jesus likens himself to the vine and us as the branches, he provides far more to the relationship than we do. First, the vine can survive without the branch, but the branches cannot survive without the vine. Second, the vine provides much in terms of nutrients and growth to the branches.

2. Abiding strengthens and informs our prayers. I am convicted by John 15.7: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Abiding with Jesus will inform my prayers  and my asks. Wanting more out of my prayer life will have nothing to do with finding the right technique or formula, and it will have all to do with having a rich, abiding relationship with Jesus.

I recently saw an interview with Michael Jordan where the interviewer asked him whether he can still dunk. Jordan paused for a few seconds then responded, “Now that’s a stupid question!” Anyone who knows Jordan’s athleticism and personality will know that that indeed is a stupid question. Knowing Jordan would have urged the interviewer to strengthen his questions. Though I doubt God is judging our prayers and mocking us, but many of our prayers can be superficial and lack faith. It is encouraging and inspiring and motivating to know that God wants me to ask for whatever I wish and it will be done for me.