WORD OF THE WEEK = "MENO": Plugged In: Powering Your Faith, Every Day
- Thad DeBuhr
- Jul 9
- 10 min read
Updated: Sep 3
Life throws a lot at you. You work hard, you put in the hours, you get your hands dirty. But what about your faith? Does your spiritual life feel like another endless shift, a never-ending treadmill where no matter how much ground you cover, you just can't seem to get to where you're going?
Maybe it's more like a yo-yo: one day you're feeling on top of the world, close to God and clear-headed; the next, you're back down in the dumps, feeling miles away. Or, and this might be the worst, is it just cold? Like you put the kettle on high, walked away, only to come back later and realize you'd somehow set it on the wrong burner, and the water didn't even warm up a degree. No spark, no heat, just… nothing.
If any of that hits home, listen up. It's time to ditch the spiritual grind, the ups and downs, the cold shoulder. It's time to discover what it truly means to abide.
Setting the Scene for the Word of the Week: The Power of "Meno"
Today, we're diving into a profound Greek word that holds immense spiritual weight: "Meno" (μένω). This word, often translated as "abide," "remain," "dwell," or "stay," isn't just about physical presence; it speaks to a deep, continuous, and intimate connection. While there isn't a single, direct Hebrew equivalent that perfectly encapsulates the multifaceted meaning of "meno," the concept of a deep, enduring relationship with God is certainly woven throughout the Old Testament.
Think of words like "yashab" (יָשַׁב), meaning "to sit, dwell, remain," often used in the context of God dwelling among His people in the tabernacle or temple (Exodus 29:45, Psalm 132:13-14). Or "qum" (קוּם), meaning "to stand, arise, endure," which can imply stability and permanence in God’s presence. The essence of "meno" in the New Testament is about a committed, ongoing, and vital union, much like the covenant relationship God established with Israel.
The most famous and illuminating use of "meno" comes from Jesus Himself in John 15, where He declares,
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser… Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:1, 4-5 ESV).
To fully grasp the power of this passage, imagine the scene. Jesus is likely speaking to His disciples in an area where vineyards were common, a familiar sight for them. He’s using an agricultural metaphor, something they would immediately understand. The vinedresser (God the Father) meticulously cares for the vine (Jesus) and the branches (us). The life-giving sap, the very essence of nourishment, flows from the vine to the branches. Without this continuous connection, the branch withers and dies, becoming useless for bearing fruit. This isn’t a fleeting connection; it's a constant, dependent, life-sustaining relationship.
This concept of abiding echoes Old Testament themes of dependence on God. Psalm 91:1, for instance, speaks of those who "dwell in the secret place of the Most High" and "abide under the shadow of the Almighty." The Hebrew "yashab" here also implies a sense of secure dwelling and reliance. Similarly, Psalm 23:6 speaks of dwelling in the house of the Lord forever. The New Testament use of "meno" elevates this, personalizing it to an intimate, relational dwelling in Christ.
Rabbit Trail 1: Wild Branches Grafted In
The imagery of grafting is incredibly powerful, and while John 15 focuses on our individual connection to Christ, another well-known passage uses grafting to explain the inclusion of Gentiles into God's family. In Romans 11:17-24, Paul speaks of Israel as the "cultivated olive tree" and Gentiles as "wild olive branches" that have been grafted in among the natural branches.
This concept would have been striking to both Jewish and Gentile audiences. For Jewish people, the olive tree was a symbol of Israel's covenant relationship with God. For Gentiles, the idea of being brought into this sacred heritage, not through their own merit but by God's grace, was revolutionary.
Biblical Examples of "New Fruit":
When Gentiles were grafted in, it didn't just benefit the Gentiles; it brought new dimensions of fruitfulness.
The Church's Global Expansion: The most obvious "new fruit" is the rapid spread of the Gospel beyond Jewish borders. Early Christian communities, comprised of both Jews and Gentiles, exemplified this new spiritual "produce." Think of the Antioch church (Acts 11:19-26), where believers were first called "Christians" and where Barnabas and Paul were sent out on their missionary journeys. The diverse background of believers enriched the church and its outreach.
Paul's Ministry: Paul, initially a persecutor of Christians, became the "apostle to the Gentiles" (Romans 11:13). His tireless work and letters, which form a significant portion of the New Testament, are a direct result of this grafting. His unique perspective, bridging Jewish heritage with a passion for Gentile inclusion, brought immense spiritual fruit.
Mutual Provocation to Jealousy (Romans 11:11): Paul suggests that the inclusion of Gentiles could provoke Israel to "jealousy," ultimately leading to their return to faith. This complex dynamic, while painful for Israel at times, is intended for a greater good – the ultimate salvation of all Israel. The "fruit" here is a future hope of complete reconciliation and restoration.
Historical and Cultural Context of Grafting:
Grafting was a well-known agricultural practice in the ancient world, particularly for olives, grapes, and figs. Farmers would take a cutting (scion) from one plant and attach it to the rootstock of another. The two would then grow together, combining their strengths.
However, the idea of grafting a wild branch onto a cultivated tree, as Paul describes, was often seen as counterintuitive or even improper in ancient horticulture. Typically, a cultivated scion would be grafted onto a wild rootstock to improve the quality of the wild tree. Paul's reversal of this common practice emphasizes the extraordinary nature of God's grace – taking what was naturally "wild" and bringing it into a cultivated, fruitful relationship. This highlights that salvation is entirely God's doing, not based on human merit or natural superiority.
Rabbit Trail 2: The Marvel of the Fruit Salad Tree
Speaking of grafting, let's explore a fascinating modern application that perfectly illustrates how diverse "branches" can thrive on a single "trunk" – the fruit salad tree! It's a real thing, and we just met a woman who introduced us to this type of tree only a few weeks ago!
Imagine a single tree that produces apples, pears, peaches, plums, and apricots, all at once. It sounds like something out of a fairy tale, but it's a reality thanks to the art of grafting.
What is a Fruit Salad Tree?
A fruit salad tree isn't a genetically modified marvel, but rather a standard tree (the rootstock) onto which various compatible fruit branches (scions) have been grafted. Each grafted branch retains its original identity, producing its specific type of fruit.
The Process of Making a Fruit Salad Tree:
Choosing the Rootstock: This is the foundation of your multi-fruit tree. The rootstock determines the tree's size, disease resistance, and adaptability to soil conditions. It's crucial that the chosen rootstock is compatible with all the fruits you intend to graft. For example, for stone fruits (peaches, plums, apricots), a compatible plum rootstock is often used. For pome fruits (apples, pears), a compatible apple or pear rootstock is needed. You generally want a young, healthy rootstock, often 1-3 years old, with strong branch development.
Selecting the Scions: These are the dormant cuttings (usually 4-6 inches long with 2-4 buds) from the desired fruit varieties. The scions must be taken from healthy, disease-free trees, ideally in late winter when the tree is dormant. Crucially, for a fruit salad tree, all the chosen scions must be compatibles – meaning they can successfully graft and thrive on the same rootstock and with each other. For example, all stone fruits (peaches, plums, nectarines, apricots, almonds) can be grafted onto a single stone fruit tree. Similarly, all citrus varieties (oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins) can go on one citrus tree. You can't mix stone fruits with citrus, or apples with stone fruits, as they are not compatible.
The Grafting Technique: There are several common grafting techniques, but for fruit trees, whip-and-tongue or cleft grafting are popular.
Whip-and-Tongue: This involves making matching diagonal cuts on both the rootstock and the scion, then cutting a small "tongue" in each to interlock them tightly.
Cleft Grafting: This is often used when the scion is smaller than the rootstock branch. A V-shaped cut (cleft) is made in the rootstock, and a wedge-shaped scion is inserted. In both cases, the goal is to align the cambium layers (the thin, green layer just under the bark) of the scion and the rootstock. This is where the living cells are that will fuse together.
Securing and Sealing: Once the scion is precisely placed, it's tightly bound with grafting tape or rubber bands to hold it in place and ensure good contact. The entire grafted area is then sealed with grafting wax or compound. This prevents moisture loss, protects against disease, and helps the graft heal.
Care and Patience: After grafting, the tree needs careful attention – proper watering, sunlight, and protection from pests. If successful, new growth will emerge from the scion's buds, indicating that the graft has "taken." It can take several years for a grafted branch to start producing significant fruit, depending on the fruit type and the age of the scion.
Types of Fruit Salad Trees:
Stone Fruit Trees: Commonly combine peaches, plums, nectarines, apricots, and even almonds.
Citrus Trees: Can feature lemons, limes, oranges, mandarins, grapefruits, and pomelos.
Pome Fruit Trees: Often blend different varieties of apples, pears, and quinces.
Multi-Nut Trees: Less common, but different nut varieties can also be grafted.
The fruit salad tree is a wonderful example of how distinct parts, when properly connected and nourished, can coexist and produce a beautiful diversity of "fruit" from a single source. Just as the rootstock supports multiple varieties of fruit, the "native vine" of God's family, through Christ, supports a glorious diversity of believers, each bringing their unique "fruit" to the kingdom.
There's more to this WORD OF THE WEEK STUDY GUIDE
BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN FURTHER FOR:
Questions to chew on and discuss (or for your journal)
A Journey Group Discussion Starter (use in your small group time)
Modern Day Application Ideas
Want to watch the video version of the Daily Bible Podcast Episode that corresponds to this study guide? Here you go!
Questions for You to Chew On and Discuss
What does "abiding in Christ" practically look like in your daily life? How does it differ from simply "doing Christian things"?
Can you recall a time when you felt deeply connected to Christ (abiding), and what was the "fruit" of that connection? Conversely, what happens when you feel disconnected?
How does the cultural context of a vineyard help you understand Jesus's teaching on abiding more deeply?
Journey Group Discussion Starter
Share one practical step you can take this week to more intentionally "meno" in Christ, whether it's adjusting your morning routine, incorporating prayer throughout your day, or engaging with Scripture in a new way.
Want to learn more about our Journey Groups (Small Groups online or in person)
Modern-Day Application:
So, how do we "abide" in a world that constantly pulls us in a million directions? It's not about physical isolation, but spiritual integration.
Prioritize Presence over Performance: In a results-driven society, we often measure our spiritual health by what we do. Abiding shifts the focus to being with Jesus. This means carving out consistent time for prayer, meditation on Scripture, and simply resting in His presence. It's less about checking off a spiritual to-do list and more about cultivating a conversational, dependent relationship.
Embrace Dependence: The vine and branches analogy makes it clear: apart from Him, we can do nothing. This isn't a weakness; it's the source of our strength. True abiding means acknowledging our need for Him in every area of our lives – our decisions, our relationships, our work, our struggles.
Live in His Word: Jesus said, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you" (John 15:7). His words are the spiritual "sap" that nourishes us. Consistent engagement with Scripture, not just reading it, but allowing it to transform our thoughts and actions, is crucial for abiding.
Bear Fruit as a Natural Outflow: When we truly abide, fruit-bearing isn't a laborious effort but a natural consequence. This fruit isn't just about evangelism, but also the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW AS A CHRISTIAN
The call to abide is an invitation to a life of profound peace, purpose, and fruitfulness. It's about letting go of self-sufficiency and embracing divine dependency.
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