RTW 2024

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5

Jesus violated cultural and societal status and boundaries when he loosed others’ sandals and washed their feet as a servant would. (John 13:1-17)

• “Home” (noun): John 14:2–μοναὶ (monai) and John 14:23–μονὴν (monēn): Dwelling-place, a staying place (Original word–moné μονή: an abiding, an abode, lodging, dwelling-place, room, mansion.)
• Μένω (menó): to stay, abide, remain (1st person verb)
• Abide/remain in John 15:4, 7, 9, 10: 2nd person plural
• Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will follow My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him.”
  John 14:23 (NASB)
• John 1:14 ἐσκήνωσεν (eskēnōsen): specific to dwelling in a tent or tabernacle
• “The word “abide” (KJV, NASB, NRSV) “remain” (NIV, GNT) or “dwell” (John 15:4-10) is the verb form of “dwelling place.” In the Old Testament God had promised to dwell with his obedient covenant people always. (Exodus 25:8; 29:45; Leviticus 26:11-12; Ezekiel 37:27-28; 43:9). The Old Testament and Jewish literature sometimes portrayed Israel as a vineyard (e.g., Isaiah 5:7; Jeremiah 12:10) or less frequently as a vine (e.g., Psalm 80:8;  Ezekiel 19:10; Hosea 10:1).” The IVP Bible Background Commentary
• “And they shall make me a sanctuary so that I may dwell among them.”
  Exodus 25:8 (NRSVUE)
• “For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his cherished garden; he expected justice but saw bloodshed; righteousness but heard a cry!”
  Isaiah 5:7 (NRSVUE)
• Vineyards were pervasive in the Mediterranean world, including in Judea. The three common domestic fruit trees were the fig, olive, and vine. The vine usually required the most attention. They would cut away useless branches so they did not waste or sap the strength of the rest of the tree, which gave more strength to the branches that would bear fruit. Fruitless branches were removed especially during winter. Some advised pruning only when the vine was strong enough to bear it.
• “But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples. I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.”
  John 15:7-10 (MSG)

Seek out and allow Jesus to dwell with you, and carry that same “dwelling-place” love to others.