Let Us Do What Jesus DidSample

Jesus did what he saw his Father do

“So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the

Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what

he sees the Father doing. For whatever the

Father does, that the Son does likewise.”

Henry Blackaby, in his acclaimed workbook Experiencing God, taught us:

Don’t go out and do things on your own for God, with your own strength and resources. Rather, do what Jesus did. Jesus watched the Father and did what he saw the Father doing. Jesus was completely dependent on the Father, completely surrendered to the Father. He only did what he saw the Father doing. 

Jesus is the model for all ministry. Find out what God is doing and do that. Find out where God is at work and get on board.

God is not looking for originality, but faithfulness. The Father is looking for complete dependence and surrender. 

Dwight Edwards, in his book Revolution Within, has a superb summary of John 5:19: Jesus did nothing of his own initiative but joined in with what God was already doing. God the Father was always in the lead.

Jesus did nothing of his own invention. He was dependent upon his Father’s example and sought only to mirror what he saw his Father doing.

Jesus did nothing of his own will. He didn’t come to establish and fulfill his own ministry but the one designated for him by the Father.

Jesus did nothing in his own strength. The ministry he unleashed upon the world was done wholly through the power of his indwelling Father.

In true New Covenant ministry, each of these will be true about us as well. “As the Father has sent me,” Jesus said, “I also send you.” Our ministry is as tied to Christ as Christ’s was to his Father!

That’s the calling of a disciple: a life of dependence and surrender.