john 15: abide (restful surrender)
This whole chapter is so full of rich promises stemming from challenges Jesus is giving to his disciples. It's not "don't do this or that", or "do this because I said so"--it's "Do this, know this, react in this way, because it is the way of the father, it is what I myself have followed and modeled for you, and because it is the way of fruit, of joy, of love, of peace (even in the midst of hatred), and of truth. It's what I've called you to, and it's worth it." It's hard to believe, from this side of the first Easter, that by this point, Jesus knows he is headed to the cross. More than likely, he was struggling himself to believe the words which he was saying. But John has made Jesus' devotion to the father's will the clearest message to both follower and opponent alike. It is a beautiful example to follow, and his words here highlight, for me, a simplicity that we often miss. We are (I am) so quick to jump headfirs