67Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? (John 6:66-69)
A friend of mine married a woman who had been verbally and physically abused in her first marriage. Therefore, she clung to her new godly husband as if her life depended on it. She became codependent and smothered him. If he would have 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 his commitment to both 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 them to be with Him, and had chosen each one individually; but when the multitudes left, He asked His disciples 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 His Father.
Unknowingly, we have allowed ourselves to become dependent on many things other than the Lord for our stability and security. They may be good things like mates and children. In fact, some would even argue that it is correct to be that way. However, Jesus Christ is the only foundation that will always support us through the pressures of life. Everyone and everything else can fail us.
What must you have to be satisfied? The only things that can let you down are those you lean on, so make sure you are leaning on the One who will never let you down.
