One of my favorite commercials is produced by Volkswagen.* It’s the one with the little kid in a Darth Vader outfit trying to use “The Force” on various things around the house. He fails at everything until his father comes home with the car. How startled he is when the car starts as he projects his force upon the grill. Of course it is his father in the house with the remote.
“Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” John 5:19. One of the big differences with the little kid and Jesus was Jesus was never startled when His miracles worked. When He said, “Lazarus, come forth” He knew Lazarus was coming out of that tomb. Jesus knew if He was to be our role model He would have to limit Himself to the very powers that are available to us. And so He did. If we are to live successful lives we must never rely upon our own powers. If we do we are doomed to failure. The Holy Spirit has been given to us that we might be able to reach beyond our humanity and grasp onto and utilize the power of the Father.
In II Peter 1 we are encouraged to reach for the sky. “Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” We can participate. We can share. We can have our Heavenly Father pour out incredible blessings once we get past our egos. Not an easy task.
Written by Roger Bothwell on September 29, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org