Words
May 10, 2025
Yesterday, I wrote about deepening my understanding of the verse: In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. (NASB 1995) Attempting to enlarge the picture of what Jesus was conveying to His disciples, I hope I didn’t overshadow the important essence of the message that there is going to be a place for true Believers — meaning disciples — after death.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. — Revelation 21:1. NASB 1995.
Well today, again reading from the Gospel of John, I came across a new challenge for understanding what Jesus was trying to convey to His disciples and to today’s true Believers, as well.
Let me first emphasize that people have a variety of very valid understanding of the Bible verses — understandings that are working concepts which work to encourage them and deepen their walk with Jesus by broadening their view…
My purpose is not to “upset anyone’s apple cart,” but, hopefully, to enhance the picture they already have. So, don’t be confused. If I even raise a tinge of doubt or confusion, please, stick with what you already know and understand.
Here now is the verse I will be going over: I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. — John 15:5, NASB 1995.
Patty and I cannot come to agreement on this, and I theorize that how she sees this, though different from mine, is most probably accurate as well.
Maybe she is viewing the topic from the front.
Maybe I am walking around to get to see the topic from all viewing points.
Maybe, being a man and a gardener gives me perhaps an agrarian understanding, while Patty being a woman and a Home Health Care Aide, has a more personable and amiable understanding.
I purposely included gender because I have seen that men and women think about things differently and have compatible but slightly different approaches to all dynamics of life.
(Please, don’t ask me to explain this, because I am 75 years ignorant, and I don’t expect to understand the difference any time soon… I just know that the difference exists.,,)
Anyways and after all that, the difference lies in a very small pronoun which in theGreek language is “en.”
https://biblehub.com/greek/1722.htm — Definition: in, on, at, by, with, among.
Such a small word. Such a broadly profound meaning!
Does it affect the idea?
…he who abides in Me and I in him. could be “he who abides by Me,” or it could be “he who abides with Me.”
So, there’s In… By… With..
Maybe there is no choice to be made. Maybe all are correct and simply add to our understanding.
After all, Jesus is much more dynamic than we might give Him credit for…
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. — Isaiah 55:8, NASB 1995.
Nevertheless, Jesus being the vine and Believers the branches, I wee the biological process as a parallel where the roots bring the water and nutrients up into the branches so they bear fruit. So I understand the relationship with Jesus is dependent on individuals staying closely attached to Jesus [ like me sticking close with Him and while He promises to stick with us
Just A Closer Walk With Thee (Live At Calvary Assemble Of God, Orlando, FL/2003)
You have the options from the Greek to choose from. Still and all, the important thing is that you choose to accept Jesus into your life and choose to turn and to continue to follow close to Him.
‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. -Jeremiah 29:11, NASB 1995.
