Inquiry:
Is Jesus Equal to or lesser than the Father? In John 10:30, the apostle pens the words of Jesus, “I and My Father are one.” Again, Jesus’ words are recorded in John 14:28, “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Faher is greater than I.”
Has Jesus contradicted Himself?
Response:
What did Jesus mean when He said, “I and my Father are one.”? The questioner has read into the Scripture that Jesus said He was equal to the Father in regards to their authority. Such is not the case. In the very text, Jesus declares that the Father “…is greater than all…” (10:29) Throughout His ministry, Jesus affirmed that the Father was greater than He. In John 5:19, Jesus states, “…I say unto you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” Later in the same text, He says, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just: because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” (John 5:30).
How then are the Christ and the Father “one”? In John 17:11, Jesus prays for His disciples with these words, “…that they may be one, as we are one.” Again, in the same chapter at verses 22-23, Jesus says, “…that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one…” This same word, “one” is used in Galatians 2:28, where the apostle Paul says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” How are they one? In nature. Just as Jews, Greeks, slaves, free, men and women are all one in nature — Christian — so the Father and Son are one in nature — God. That does not mean they are equal in their exercise of authority. Some in the church were placed in positions of greater responsibility and authority (ie. apostles, prophets, elders, teachers), however, they are still “…one in Christ Jesus” with the rest. The Father is greater than the Son in authority, but they are equal in nature — both are deity.
There is no contradiction.
Links: YouVersion | GROW magazine
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