SUBMERGESample

Where Do I Go From Here?

One question I often have from students after a big event like a large youth conference is, “Where do I go from here?” Our passage finds the disciples in a similar situation, only they don’t fully understand everything about to happen. In our passage today, Jesus is trying to prepare his disciples for the fact that he is about to die on the cross, then be resurrected, and ultimately ascend to heaven to be with His Father. The simple truth is that they will have to continue to be his disciples when he is no longer physically present with them. (Although his Spirit will be with them, and that same Spirit will be with us as well as we go to our separate cities after we leave a big gathering, conference, or camp) Jesus doesn’t give them some big manual to follow. He keeps it really simple!

“Remain in me.” That is the one thing Jesus asks of his disciples once he is gone. He promises to remain in them as they remain in Him. (Through that same Spirit that I mentioned earlier!) Jesus promises to help these disciples “prune” or remove the things in their lives that don’t look like God if they remain in Him. Jesus also promises to remove our sinful attitudes and actions as we remain in Him. Jesus also says that it is God’s will that these disciples will bear MUCH fruit! What is the fruit of God? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) The promise is that as we remain in Christ, we WILL bear this fruit, but if we become disconnected, we will wither and die.

So here is our one task - Remain in Jesus and allow His Spirit to remain in us! How do we remain? We stay in relationship! Right now, you are listening to God through His word. Staying connected to your youth ministry is another great way to remain in Christ. Praying throughout your day is a third way to remain in Christ. In any relationship, remaining in relationship means staying connected and spending time together! Here is the good news. As we remain, this scripture says Christ will give us whatever we need because God’s ultimate goal for us is that we will bear fruit that looks like Christ! It really is that simple! Remain in Jesus!

Reflection:

What would it look like to remain in Jesus this summer and next school year and trust Jesus to bear fruit in your life rather than just trying to “be better?”

Nate Cook
SNU Class of 1995
Pastor and Adjunct Professor