“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just 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. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. (see John 15:1-5)

You will not read “abide” in the NIV translation of John 15, but the NRSV maintains this older English word. The word “abide” has lived on, too, because of “Jeffrey ‘The Dude’ Lebowski,” and his famous utterance near the conclusion of the Coen Brothers 1998 film, The Big Lebowski. Let’s just say Jesus said it first. Well, maybe in a different context.

Why bring up the topic of “abiding,” anyway? It has to do with Jesus’ essential rhythms, of being present, then absent, then present, then absent, then present, then absent, etc. Jesus would be incredibly present, with his twelve disciples, pouring personal time and wisdom into them. He would also come remarkably close to the unclean and unseen, to sinners and outcasts, making himself present to those on the margins. But there are many instances, recorded across the Gospels, when Jesus seems to be missing; the crowds, or Jesus’ own disciples, would go looking for him, or take note, finding him off alone, in solitude, seemingly absent. Truth be told, Jesus was never absent; he was abiding. He was remaining very present with God.

“Abide in me.” What does this mean?
How do we abide?

NEXT THREE SUNDAYS

• October 27 – Intercession/Supplication; DUDE ABIDES John 15:1-5
• November  3 – Confession; SACRAMENT
• November 10th – Gratitude

YOUNG CHURCH

• Big Kids
• Godly Play: Work Day