John 5:19-29
Be Still: Jesus, as I enter this time with you, please still my busy brain and help me to focus on you and your presence. Amen
Read: John 5:19-29
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. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. (vv19,20)
Encounter: One of my least favourite things at school was any time you were told to 'get into partners'. There would be a flurry of looks and nods across the room, as people locked eyes to confirm ‘we’ll be partners for this science experiment’. And then there would be the terrible moment where you realised the person you wanted to partner with, had gone with someone else …
In today’s passage we see the ultimate partners on display. God the Father and God the Son are partnering together. Jesus says he only does ‘what he sees his Father doing’. This partnership brings healing, life, wholeness, freedom, and redemption!
But the best thing? We get to be part of this partnership too! Partnering with God isn’t like partnering at school; he always wants us to work together.
And so, we can have the same approach as Jesus did and do what we see our Father doing. We can ask this question every day of God: 'What are you doing?’. We can ask, ‘What do you want to show me? What are you already doing, and how can I join in with that?’ I know I am guilty of telling God: ‘This is what I’m doing - can you join in with me?’ instead of the other way round.
So, let’s accept his invitation to partner together - but let’s also do it his way. Let’s try to see what he is doing and join in with that, instead of going it alone.
Apply: Take a moment at the start of today to ask the question: ‘God, what are you already doing in my workplace / home / family / friends / community?’ Then choose to partner with him within that. Try to be obedient in all that God asks of you this week, even in little ways, as you play your part in the partnership.
Devote: Father God, I give my day over to you. Please help me to work together with you in all I do. Please show me what you’re already doing, and how I can join in as we partner together.
