SEDL: Remain in Me

Grace: Lord, I want nothing more than to love You and to walk closely with You.

Scriptural Reading:

Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that do not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch can not bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples” (Jn 15:1-8).

Points for Reflection:

1. Eternal life is a gift which always retains the quality of being received; it is not an inheritance which once accepted may pass into the control of the one who has inherited it. Eternal life has to be received from moment to moment without intermission, just as a branch of the vine is always receiving its ability to bear fruit; any break in the connection could be fatal.

The disciples have accepted Jesus’ life-giving word. They were invited and encouraged to continue to live on, to abide in Jesus as the branch lives on the vine, Jesus insistently repeats “remain in me.” His return to the faithful disciples is in the form of “indwelling.” This indwelling love or “remaining” in Jesus through love is the new commandment. This indwelling will continue as long as they continue to love one another. If this happens and only when this happens will they bear fruit.

This new life they have received exalts them to a new consciousness and experience of existence, for it provides them with access to one who is totally available and attentive to all their needs, released from the inhibiting influence of the past. They will experience the freedom to ask for anything and be confident of receiving it, for the object of their love is none other than the giver of life eternal (Lifted from Shalom: Thoughts For Prayer, vol. 21, no.5, May 2006).

2. In what ways have I been able to really “remain in Christ” even though I was besought by pressure from work, thorns in relationships, disillusionment from uncontrollable circumstances? What happened? Rejoice!

3. In what ways have I NOT been able to “remain in Christ” due to pressure from work, thorns in relationships, disillusionment from uncontrollable circumstances? What happened? Beg God to give you the strength and the grace to persevere in His love and grace.


The picture was taken during a respite from a trip back to Cebu City. We walked the ranges of Balamban and saw Mt. Mantalungon – the mountain where the plane of former president Ramon Magsaysay crashed.