I have continued to reflect throughout our Holy Spirit series on Jesus’ declaration that we are to remain (or abide, or more specifically “make our home”) in him as he lives in us by the Holy Spirit. Jesus regularly took time out to get away (abide with) his Father. He intentionally sought solitude to hear his Fathers voice and the leading of the Spirit. Similarly for us the purpose of time with God is so that we can tune into, and engage with this very real and living person of the Holy Spirit – “another one of me” as Jesus said; whom Jesus has given each and every believer.
Pictures are helpful, and in Jesus teaching and explaining to the clueless disciples before his death, he uses the image of a branch and a vine to try and capture what he is talking about in terms of the presence of, relationship with, the Holy Spirit. This text is full of the word Meno, translated remain or “make your home in”.
John 15:1-8 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain (meinate) in me, and I will remain (meinate) in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain (menē) in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain (menēte) in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains (menōn) in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain (menē) in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain (meinēte) in me and my words remain (meinē) in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Jesus is saying that through the Holy Spirit we will make our home in him and he will make his home in us. This is not abstract language and imagery. It is earthy, comforting, familiar, at ease, relational, and safe language. This is living room language not monastery language. This word Meno is used by two of the disciples early on when they are wanting to hang out with Jesus and be relaxed in spending some one-on-one time with him in the privacy of his own home. Can you picture the two disciples lounging with Jesus in the comfort of his home, having a relaxed but no doubt very interesting and enjoyable and life forming conversation – that is the idea of Meno, abiding.
So as we talk about the Holy Spirit abiding in us and us in him, I want you to have in your mind this idea of hanging out in your living room or around your table with someone whose company you enjoy and with whom you can be yourself and completely at ease. To be at home with the Holy Spirit as our true selves as we spend time with Jesus. That is what I am wanting to experience as we talk about what it means to be with Jesus through the presence of the Holy Spirit. There is still a need for respect and reverence, but Jesus says that he now calls us his friends. Friends hang out and talk, friends living together see all of you; not just your Sunday best or your good side.
Jesus says that if we make our home with him in this daily and personal way – the good the bad and the ugly as you would experience in any of our homes if you stayed with another person or family for a week; then in time we will produce fruit. Fruit that will last. God desires us to speak to Him as we would a friend, so make some space to meno this week.
Grace and Peace - Garry