What does it mean to abide in him?

As God's first born children left Egypt, the Egyptians were moved by the spirit of God to give them Gold,  and Jewels, and precious things. The Chosen's hearts became inflamed.  So instead of worshiping God, they turned towards a New God: the Golden Calf.  Working with their newly acquired Gold they attempted to supplant God with a God they could see and worship in their newly formed.  They deemed the Golden Calf more worthy than a God they could not envision.

 Jesus received a blessing of anointment from his father when John baptized him in the Jordan.  Jesus was tempted right afterwards for forty days in the desert by the Devil.  But instead of creating food from stone, or throwing himself off of the top of the temple, or claiming what was already his; he abide in the LORD.
Jesus walked under the shadow of God to illustrate God's enduring Love: love that does not change,  lasts forever, and  provides enough to eat when times are tough.

We are chosen to be stewards of a kingdom that is not yet complete but has already been redeemed.  We must turn to the LORD and repent for a Heavenly Kingdom is near.

11BC - 48 AD: Herod Agrippa, King of the Jews Replies to Gaius

September 10, AD 38

Herod Agrippa
1211 Camel Jockey Way
Jerusalem City, Jerusalem, 72080

Gaius
101 Empire Drive
Rome, Roman Empire, 00120

Dear Emperor Gaius,

Gaius it has been so long since we seen each other in person. I am found of our relationship. The Hasmonaen household sends our prayers to the prosperity of the Roman Empire.

Sovereignty is important to our religious scruples. The people of Judea have a desire, a longing, a hope for independence. They desire a Jerusalem that is pure of outside influence. They see a free Jerusalem, as a freer way to God. They desire a holy city of Jerusalem.

The men of Judea are tired of living under Roman Control. They speak out against the border checkpoints. They hate the frequent screenings that demoralize their spirits. We see grown men looking like little Children caught for sending a love not in class at the Synagogue. They live in fear of everyone, for their neighbor may be a spy. We have seen the secret police raid households due to something said at the local market.

We understand your need to erect statues. Statues show our visible power. We have thoughts of erecting statues of the Herod family up in Caeserea. But we ask that you hold up from putting a statue of yourself in the Jerusalem temple. The thought would enrage the men of Judea. Their anger may rise up like a mighty wave, a mighty wind, that Rome would have a hard time controlling. Long live the Roman Empire!!!

Your boot shiner,

King Herod of Agrippa

Resources:

Bruce F.F. New Testament History. Garden City, York: Anchor Books, 1972. (258-264)
Illustration: Marvel Comics

Herod died in 48 AD
Note the first Gospel, Matthew , was written in - 50 AD.
The Letters to the Thessalonians were written in 51-52 AD

YHVH Your power is an awesome power, your love is an awesome, terrifying love, you surpass the strength of any boundary, your surpass any imagined monster guarding any imagined entryway, You unite and dive according to your sovereign will. I at times think I am strong enough to push through one of your boundaries by myself. I become stiff necked, like an Ox in a field, only making the chord on my neck tighter. Thank you for protecting me from my own destruction. I ask that you continue to show me how to be obedient in an independent world.

We are KOBE BEEF Awaiting the Slaughter House

Amos 4:1

We are the Kobe Cows of Bashen. We sit grazing on fine grains. We eat our ice cream. We are delighted. We build fine houses thinking they will always be there. We build up debts on our credit cards. Our houses become foreclosed. We become oppressed and poor because we do not turn the true source of our wealth. So run to him! Run to our LORD! Run to our LORD now.