Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, 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.
The Jewish religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus because they believed he was claiming equality with God. And indeed he is one in essence with God the Father. But in Jesus’ response to the Jews, he expressed submission to the Father. Rather than acting on his own accord, he instead followed the Father’s lead. Whatever the Father was doing, the Son would also do.
If this was Jesus’ attitude, should it not be mine as well? Many years ago I studied Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby and the one thing I remember from it came from this passage: “Watch to see where God is working and join Him.” It is easy to find something to do and jump into it. But how much better it is to follow Jesus’ example, seeking out the activity of the Father and joining him? God has not called us to labor on our own, but rather to labor alongside of him. If God is not in it, then neither should I be.
