Nothing On My Own

‘I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgement is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me. ‘If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But I have a testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent. ‘You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings. But I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?’ John 5:30-47

We can do nothing on our own, despite what we think or pretend to believe. A new human cannot survive without round the clock care. And we don't thrive without good, loving care. This photo is of me and my mom, Betty, shortly after arriving home from the hospital. I was a big baby, born on Christmas Eve and the whole family had to wait for Christmas until we got home. Every child changes everything for a family. Folks, we are dependent on one another, and none of us can grow or learn well without the help of others. Even Jesus said he could do nothing on his own. So, today, let us drop the pretense that we are rugged individuals, and live as dependent, interdependent people, who need help and give help and let go of judgement. 

Precious Creator, you made us perfectly dependent

so that we might speak our needs and offer help

as a people committed to holy loving and caring.

We love the fables of pioneers and self-made men

yet there are heaps of people who helped them out

and people who died as they forged their legacy.

Help us, Lord, to be like Jesus today and always

ready to acknowledge our need and ready to help

and when we do recognize we are following you. Amen.