Why Jesus Said, “My Father and I Are The Same.”

“I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30 NIV)

This statement has triggered controversy for generations since many have not understood why Jesus said this or to whom. The simple explanation is this–God the Father and God the Son are one in purpose and intent. They do not vary nor are they ever in conflict with one another. God is Spirit, and loved us so much He decided that the only way to reconcile mankind back to Him, was to make the ultimate sacrifice, the blood sacrifice that many recognized as atonement for sin, so He came–wrapped in flesh and born of a woman–to experience life as we do–tempted to sin, but didn’t. Under the Law, a pure lamb was to offered and Jesus is the pure Lamb–sacrificed for the sins of man–for all who believe.

But let’s go back and see what led to this statement when the Jews questioned Jesus’ veracity.

John 10:24-29

v. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

v.25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me,

v.26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.

v.27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

v. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand,

v. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

What follows is the attempt by them to stone Jesus for blasphemy–accusing Him of claiming to be God when He was a mere man.

Some people–those who say they believe and those who don’t–still do not understand that Jesus and God are one. When we pray to the Father, in Jesus’ name, we are talking to both and Jesus said (in another verse of scripture), whatever we asked of the Father in His name, it would be given to us. When we attempt to separate God as one entity and Jesus as another, and Holy Spirit as another, we nullify the power of the three since they are One in purpose. I have never understood how people can say they believe in God and yet not believe God or in how they can establish, “Jesus Only,” doctrines.

Before Jesus came (God in the flesh), God spoke to the people through the prophets or whoever else He chose to use. While He was here on earth, He was limited by His fleshly body to a point, but He knew what people were thinking and He knew all the Father had spoken to those of old and this is why the Pharisees were amazed at the knowledge He had since He had not been taught by them. Jesus is The Word so He would certainly know The Word as God spoke it to those who were before Him. Now, since His ascension back to heaven, we have access to Him through Holy Spirit and when we are filled with His Spirit and allow His spirit to guide us in all things, we no longer have need for others to “tell us” what The Lord says about anything. But this is for those who Believe! God is yet speaking to us, directly–and those who know His Word, know His voice when we hear Him and He knows all who belong to Him, by our obedience to His Word. Glory Hallelujah!

When we belong to God, we listen and obey. If we do not belong to God, we will not hear and certainly will not obey. So, when people claim to believe in God yet encourage or promote others to live in opposition to His Word, they are really saying they believe in a force greater than them, but since they do not what God has said, they cannot believe God.

Jesus is the Great Shepherd, I am one of the sheep who belongs to Him and I know His voice because I know what the Father has said. It is my relationship with God through His Son, that I can stand firmly on The Word as my foundation for living and knowing how to live–unconditionally, but also knowing that loving comes with the responsibility of correction, and instruction. 

God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ are one and since I belong to them, my purpose is the same as theirs–to bring all into the knowledge of who He is, acceptance of the work on the cross for our sins, and encouraging obedience in all things so we can all hear, “Well done” and live with Him for all eternity.

More about what Jesus said and why, next time.