333 Words

333 WORDS….

Lord Jesus emphasized important issues by referencing them in different ways, issues of import both to those who are His and those who are not.

To “those who are not” He repeated their need to be rescued from the consequences of their sin.

To “those who are His” our precious Jesus expressed in several ways His want to bond with His saved ones. Perhaps the most descriptive language expressing the necessity of togetherness is located in John, chapter fifteen: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”

Lord Jesus expressed “Abide in Me, and I in you” in various ways….

To several Lord Jesus said, “Follow Me”. One cannot continually follow another except by being fixed on that another. Being fixed is abiding.

Jesus: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” He has every right to be “first love”. Loving Christ supremely equals “Abide in Me”.

Lord Jesus often used the term, “Believe in Me”. The Amplified says, “adheres to, trusts in, relies on”. Adhering, trusting, relying…. all are synonyms of “Abide in”. As Lord Jesus promises, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit”, so He promises, “He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also”.

Lord Jesus expresses intimacy with several analogies, such as….

Shepherd and sheep: “I know My sheep, and are known by them.” And….
Master and servant: “A servant is not greater than his master.” And….
Sender and sent one: “Nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.” And….
Teacher and student: “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am”. But perhaps the optimum is….

Vine and branch: “I am the vine, you are the branches.”