OCTOBER 29

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

JOHN 6:66-69


“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” (John 6:67)

A friend of mine married a woman who had been physically and verbally abused in her first marriage. Therefore, she clung to this new godly husband as if her life depended on it. She became codependent and smothered him. If he would’ve left her, her whole world would have collapsed. That’s not healthy!

A real breakthrough came one day when he told her how much he loved her and reassured her of both his commitment to her and the marriage. Then he said, “But I don’t need you.” He wasn’t rejecting her. He was just trying to make her understand that he was complete in Christ – with or without her. He loved her and wanted her, but he could make it without her, because his foundation was Jesus. That’s how it should be!

This was what Jesus was doing with His disciples. He loved them, wanted to be with them, and had chosen each one individually. But when the multitudes left, He asked them if they wanted to leave too. Jesus wasn’t encouraging them to go, but He wouldn’t have fallen apart if they had. He didn’t need them in the sense that He couldn’t do without them. His total security was in His relationship with the Father.

Unknowingly, we’ve allowed ourselves to become dependent on many things other than the Lord for our security and stability. They may even be good things like mates and children. In fact, some would even argue that it’s correct to be that way. However, Jesus Christ is the only foundation that will support the pressures of life.

What must you have to be satisfied? The only things that’ll let you down are those you lean on. (AW)

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