What did Jesus do to balance dependence and independence? - Independence - TouchPoints

Matthew 26:42Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.”

John 5:19Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.”

John 8:28Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I Am he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me.”

John 8:42Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me.”

John 12:49“I [Jesus] don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it.”

John 17:11“Now I [Jesus] am departing from the world; they [Jesus’ disciples] are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.”

Jesus was and is uniquely the Son of God with a message of salvation through the forgiveness of sins. But he was sent by God and willingly chose to speak and accomplish what his Father had planned. He declared his unity with God in his words and his actions.