Living apart from someone whom we love is certainly very painful. Separation can destroy a relationship that has been painstakingly built over the years.
Jesus knew that in a little while, he would be separated from His disciples—after His death and resurrection, He would go back to Heaven to prepare a place for them before coming back to bring them there. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3).
The disciples must have felt a sense of loss. Jesus, therefore, commanded them to remain in Him like branches attached to a vine. In that way, their relationship with Him would continue on and as a result, they would bear much fruit and glorify God. “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” (John 15:4).
To remain in Jesus means to live in obedience to His words, and to love one another as Jesus loves us. These are the important things that we as His disciples should do, so that we can live a life that is marked as God’s children and glorify His name. “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands” (1 John 15:3). “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).
It is not easy to keep this command but with the help of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate whom Jesus promises to send to us, we will be able to do so. That is why Jesus said, “… it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7). “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). Jesus ascended into heaven not to leave us alone but to be with us through the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to Him!