But the cross interrupts the smooth flow of words here. The cross breaks into this text. The cross never fits easily into our thinking or our living. Yet, the cross is at the center of what it means to remain in Jesus. Our self- confidence is questioned here. We all think of ourselves as loving, good people. Surely we are the ones who keep the commands of Jesus. Surely we are the branches remaining in the vine.
Then we look again at the events leading up to the cross, found in Matthew 26 and 27. Jesus and his friends are preparing to eat the Passover meal together. They seem to be filled with love and obedience and loyalty.
But when a woman pours costly perfume on his head, anointing him for burial, these friends are indignant.
When they gather at the table Jesus raises the uncomfortable issue of betrayal. One whose hand is dipping in the common dish is also selling Jesus to those who would put him to death.
Peter is the most loyal, promising his devotion to the end. Yet he is the one who gets caught in fear and denies even knowing Jesus.
At Gethsemane, when Jesus most needs his friends to stand by him in prayer, they sleep.
Soon enough they will flee.
"Remain in me," he says. That is precisely what his disciples could not do. And yet he laid down his life for his friends.
So he also laid down his life for us, and calls us friends, not because we would have been more loyal, more courageous, more faithful than the disciples, but because Jesus demonstrates the greatest love. He gave his life on the cross, so that we might come by faith to remain in him. There is transforming power in the cross. It is the greatest love.
"Jesus, keep me near the cross."
The text "remain in me" gives me comfort. I find my comfort in Jesus. I love the image of John reclined against Jesus at the last super. Can you imagine yourself in that position - try it.