Abide
Series: Love One Another
Scripture: John 15:1–11 (CEB)
Preacher: Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen

What is the difference between simply passing through a place, a relationship, or even our faith, and truly settling in and abiding?

In this message, Pastor Sarah reflects on the difference between being a tourist and becoming rooted in a place. Drawing from her own experience spending time in Hawaii, she describes how staying long enough to return to the same cafés, recognize familiar faces, and settle into a different rhythm created a sense of belonging she never experienced on a short vacation. That experience becomes a window into Jesus’ invitation in John 15: “Remain in me, and I will remain in you.”

Jesus uses the image of a vine and its branches to describe what it means to stay connected to the source of life. A branch does not manufacture its own life; it receives nourishment from the vine. In the same way, Jesus invites us not simply to believe in him, but to abide—to remain, settle in, and become deeply rooted in the love of God.

Jesus gives this teaching to his disciples knowing that their world is about to fall apart. He knows they will face fear, grief, confusion, and uncertainty. His invitation is to remain connected even then, especially then. When life becomes frightening or overwhelming, we can be tempted to scatter, isolate, or disconnect. Jesus instead says: Come back to the vine. Stay connected to the source of life.

But abiding also involves pruning. Jesus speaks about branches being trimmed so that they can bear more fruit. Pastor Sarah explores pruning not as punishment, but as care—the loving work of making room for what produces love and joy. Sometimes what needs to be pruned is obvious: habits that isolate us, resentment, fear, or busyness. Other times it is more subtle, such as being physically present while our hearts and minds are somewhere else.

The passage also reminds us that our connection to Christ cannot be separated from our connection to one another. Just as branches are connected to the same vine, we are woven together as the body of Christ. Healthy community is a place where we both serve and are served, give and receive, and experience the nourishment that comes through genuine relationships.

Jesus says that abiding in him produces fruit, and Pastor Sarah identifies that fruit as love: love that crosses the road, sits at the table with unlikely guests, serves others, and flows into the neighborhood and the world.

The invitation is not to try harder or do more. It is to abide. To become more fully present—with God, with one another, and with the people and places where we have been planted.

Reflection Questions:
• How is your connection to Jesus as the “Source” of life also like your connection to others as a source of life and love and flourishing and joy?

• Think about a time when you truly settled into a place, a relationship, or a spiritual practice rather than just passing through it. What was different about that experience, and what did it produce in you?

• Jesus says that pruning is part of bearing fruit. What is something in your life right now that may need to be pruned so that you can stay more deeply connected to God and to the people around you?

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