You can ask my wife, I’m not very good at getting rid of things. She will often ask me, “Why are you still holding on to this? Why don’t you get rid of this?” What are you holding on to? What are you unwilling to let go of? There’s all kinds of things in life that we “hold on to.”

Jesus wants us to “hold on” to something. The word translated “obey” in this verse could be translated “hold on.” The word used is one that is used for “holding on” to a prisoner.

What does Jesus want us to “hold on” to? He wants us to hold on to His teaching, His Word. Why would Jesus want us to hold on to His Word? Because it’s His Word that gives us life! His Word that assures us of His forgiveness! His Word that tells us how He suffered, died, and rose for us!

And what does Jesus promise? He promises that as we are into His Word – as we read it, think about it, apply it to our lives – He makes His home in us. Did you catch that? Jesus takes up residence in your heart! He lives in you! What grace!

Holding on to God’s Word, just like you,

pastor