Abide

At our church in NYC, we are going through the signs of Jesus in the Gospel of John. This week, we are going through the miracle of Lazarus being raised from the dead. In our community group, we were asked this question: "Martha has two interactions with Jesus where Jesus asks specifically if she believes Him to be the Christ not only as Savior for eternity, but for the here and now. Have there been times when circumstances have prevented you from believing in Christ for the here and now?" Some thoughts and reflections have come in the days since.

Living for the here and now asks us to reside in uncertainty of circumstances while abiding in the certainty of Jesus Christ.

We try to hold the realities of uncertainty at an arm’s length. We avoid the questions that ask us for answers we do not have. We avoid placing ourselves in situations where we do not know what to do. Simply put—we avoid situations where we do not feel we have a firm sense of control. This may work to an extent, but in full measure, it always fails.

For who here, on this earth, knows all there is and is to come? For who here never resides in a moment of uncertainty? There is no one—except the One who walked this earth long ago, fully God and fully man, and through His resurrection, we know He lives on and He knows.

This brings the necessity of abiding in the certainty of Christ. As surely as the resurrection happened and reminds us that Jesus lives on through the promise of the Holy Spirit, so we must choose to abide in the certainty only a choice of faith can bring.

Yet, there is a tension in residing and abiding. We are asked to embrace an uncertainty visible to us while placing our faith in a certainty that is not visible in the same way. And, it further asks us to embrace change in our circumstances that may never be forseen with our own eyes, and with it, to trust that God is sovereign and good with or despite it. We do not know His thoughts, His plans, and His ways. But, we can trust in what He has chosen to declare and make known, and walk with Him daily on the path where He may give further revelation in time.

Through Him is the path to righteousness. Through Him is abundant grace. Through Him is the promise of new life, not just upon the death of our earthly bodies or upon His second coming, but in the here and now.

The other day I went to an art exhibit that displayed Eastern Mediterranean relics from during the transition to Christianity in the 3rd to 7th century AD. There were many beautiful and incredible pieces…from large mosaics, ivory carvings, full head sculptures, coinage, and more. Yet there was a piece that stood out to me more than any other, as I walked by it.

An altar.

An altar from a 3rd century church, where the Eucharist was given upon. Body and blood, bread and wine. A reminder of the transformation of fully man and fully God connecting us through the death of His flesh those who were separated from Him. This was used over 1800 years ago, and it exists today. A beautiful symbol of the steadfastness that remains in this faith, this faith centered around this person, this death, this sacrifice.

This resurrection.

For to find our life, we must lose it, to find it once again and always, in Him. And part of losing our life means having the willingness to embrace uncertainty while embracing His certainty. It means not holding things and circumstances uncomfortable at an arm’s length, but rather living in the tension of residing and abiding.

He is Jesus Christ, the son of God. He is the One who came into the world. He is the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Him, though you die, you shall live. Do you believe this? (John 11:25-27).

If so, it is profoundly simple.

Abide. 

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. 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. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:1-11