This weekend the United States celebrates independence. It is a time of weekend vacations, backyard barbecues, and large firework displays. Of course, independence is something normally worth celebrating. I say normally because some have taken this to an extreme and believe that it is inherently wrong to depend on anyone. Those to adopt this concept tend to trust no one but themselves. Sadly, this hazardous idea of autonomy has negatively impacted many relationships—even our relationship with God. From the very beginning in the Garden of Eden, mankind has been tempted to live life independent of God. It is thought that we lose something by being dependent on another person. Yet, throughout the Bible, we are shown that there is power in dependence. Consider this story in the New Testament: Jesus found Himself facing an agitated crowd (see Matthew 17:14–20, and Mark 9:14–29). Not one to beat around the bush, Jesus asked them directly, “What are you arguing about?” (Mark 9:16). A man stepped forward from the crowd and relayed the situation to Jesus: He had a son who was possessed by a spirit which made his son mute and caused him great misery and pain. While that may have been a horrible situation, it wasn’t the problem. The problem was that he had asked the disciples to cast the spirit out, but they were not able to do it. At first glance, we might think this was asking a lot from the disciples. We know that Jesus had the reputation for casting out demons, but the ex-tax collectors, fishermen, and general mess-ups that followed him? Talk about great expectations! While you may shudder at the thought of someone asking for something so great from you, it would not have been an odd request for Jesus’ disciples. You see, Matthew 10:1 says that Jesus had given the twelve disciples “authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.” In fact, they were even surprised and asked Jesus why they couldn’t cast out the spirit themselves (Matthew 17:19)! Jesus’ response: “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there.’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20). In Mark 9, Jesus told them that it could only be cast out by prayer. In other words, the casting out of the boy’s evil spirit should have been possible for them, but their faith and prayers were lacking. Was this a lack of faith in themselves? No. It wasn’t that they didn’t possess enough power, it was a lack of faith in God and His power. Because, although plenty of things are impossible for us, according to scriptures, nothing is impossible for God (Matthew 19:26). Jesus gave them authority to do these things, they didn’t earn it or learn it. A disciple’s authority and power does not come from the length of time as a follower. It does not come from completing enough seminars or getting a theological diploma. It comes from a dependent relationship with the Source. Even Jesus was dependent on the power of His Father. He said, “The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me” (John 10:25). He did things in His Father’s name. Jesus explained that the works would help us to “know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father” (John 10:38). In other words, Jesus’ works revealed an ongoing, dependent relationship with His Father. Likewise, works done in Jesus’ name will be possible only because Jesus is in us and we are in Him. Jesus likened this relationship to a vine and its branches (John 15:5). In this example, Jesus was saying that if we abide, or live, in Him, His power (the fruit) will be seen in our lives. More importantly, as He says, without Him, we can do absolutely nothing! Yet, this shouldn’t surprise us. As Paul says in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” The Bible is clear: nothing is impossible for God, and we can do all things through Christ. You see, regardless of the vessel, the source of power is the same. The electricity that powers a city is the same as that which powers a watch. It doesn’t matter who the disciple is, it matters if they are plugged into Christ. It doesn’t matter how great or small the work is that you are called to do, because the source of power is the same. Our power as disciples is found in Christ, not ourself! So our abilities and worthiness do not matter; being plugged into Christ only matters. Jesus’ reply to the father in the story says it all: “All things are possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23, emphasis mine). You may not be able to do it, but God can—and if you depend on Him, you can. Yes, anything He asks you to do, you can do through Him. When it comes to the issues of eternity, it doesn’t pay to be independent. To truly experience the life God desires for us, we must learn again to be dependent—dependent on His power and love.
