The word is “meno” in the Greek. You cannot miss it. It jumps right out at you from the text. It has been awhile, but I actually sought out the help of a New Testament Greek Lexicon.
“Meno” is the instruction repeated “most often” in our gospel text for this evening – seven times over – (it is specifically used) and it twice more is “implied.”
It is a verb.
The New Revised Standard Version translates “meno” to mean “abide” – but when did you last use “that word” in an “ordinary conversation or sentence?”
So I checked, and I investigated a little bit more. I read. I searched. I studied.
I, on the other hand, found “a whole shopping list of meanings” in the Greek Lexicon…for the same word.
It seems the Greek word “meno” can be rendered as: remain, abide, do not depart, stay, continue, be present, be held, kept, not to perish, last, endure, survive, live and wait.
And, out of all those definitions the translators chose the word “abide!”
Over and over again, Jesus pleads – “meno” – remain, dwell, persist, live.
And the background to this text is this:
At dinner one evening, Jesus declares that he is the vine and his followers are the branches, and so they should “meno” or remain, dwell, abide, live in him.
It is kind of a “quirky thing” or a “strange thing” about the lectionary in season 2 or B – that during the 50 days of Easter we should return to the gospel stories before Easter.
But it was not just “at” any dinner…that Jesus spoke these words…
So now, we find ourselves back again … on the night of Jesus’ betrayal…the night before he dies…
Yep, back on Maundy Thursday…
The night of the foot washing…
The night of the giving of the new commandment to “love one another…”
The night of “the Last Supper…”
So there, Jesus is, sitting at table with the twelve.
No sooner is that meal over and Jesus dramatically washes the disciples feet…
Judas for whatever reason cannot take it any longer – and he flees out into the night…into the darkness…
While Peter learns that he is about to deny even knowing Jesus, his Master and his friend…
Totally dismayed and probably a little bit bummed, Jesus warns of the hardships soon to come…
Jesus even goes so far as to detail some the dangers that will surround all of them…and how they will all, each and every one of them…abandon him and flee in the end.
Jesus will be left utterly and completely alone, forsaken…
And all of this…is just prior to tonight’s gospel reading…
There is frenzy, chaos and drama on all sides of them. Betrayal and denial are sure to come…and violent harm lays in the darkness.
So it is – at this “last supper” that Jesus uses the word “Meno.”
Lasting life, a life that matters, eternal life, and a life that counts…is secured in the true vine.
In the midst of all the chaos that is to come, as branches of that vine, we are supposed to remain, abide, stay connected, dwell, persist and continue to live – in and through Jesus.
No matter what happens, we are to hang in there.
And as the branches draw strength from the vine, we are to draw strength from a rather simple meal at the table of Jesus.
Bread and wine…once thought to be staples…will strengthen you for whatever it is that lies ahead…
You are to come to the table where Jesus presides…and to draw strength from him…
It is his body and his blood…that he freely gives to strengthen you…
As a result of your eating and drinking, as a result of your abiding, remaining, living, staying, dwelling and persisting you will bear much fruit…just as a plant bears much fruit when it is connected to the vine.
“The word of Easter” reminds us of our rightful place around the table, the place that strengthens, builds up, bolsters, fortifies, nourishes, renews, revitalizes and makes us stronger…
It is here, by the table of Jesus that we are to find life…
Amen.