John 5:19 Jesus gave them this answer: 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.
For context it would be great to read verses 16-18 but here is my take on this passage. Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath and the Jews persecuted him.
John 5:18 And for this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath (This sounds like they didn’t like Jesus breaking the rules.) but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. (Though Jesus was telling the Jews the truth, they did not want to hear the truth in their hard hearted condition.)
When God asks us to do things that are “different”, we can fear judgment, but God says, fear me not man. And Paul puts it clearly in Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
I have longed for some time to do what Jesus shows me. Being quick to respond to the nudge is my “success” measure. Sometimes I know and understand and sometimes I do not. I do feel the tension of a “reluctant” response or worse yet, of ignoring an urge that I sense from Him.
My marching orders were to start a website. I was reluctant for some time and the tension persisted. He persisted. And then I began. I felt that the Lord wanted me to post my manuscripts. Day by day I have shared the passages from all three books. Peace came. And joy. And now I await His next. I am feeling that He wants me writing and posting as He leads. I am praying. And writing. And posting as He leads.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Amen.