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e) The Son of God in the Father and the Father in him (John 10:31-36)
JOHN 10:31-36
31 Therefore Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?” 33 The Jews answered him, “We don’t stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy: because you, being a man, make yourself God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Isn’t it written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods?’ 35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture can’t be broken), 36 do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?’
The Jews hated Jesus as he said, "I and the Father are One." They treated his witness to himself as blasphemy and were keen to stone him as the law required, otherwise the wrath of Jehovah would fall on the nation. So they ran to the courtyard and came with stones to cast at him.
Jesus stood calmly before them asking, "What evil have I done to you? I served you, healed your sick, exorcised demons and opened the eyes of your blind. I cleansed the lepers and preached the Gospel to the poor. For which of these deeds do you want to kill me? You seek to destroy your benefactor. I do not seek honor or money for my services, which I humbly called my Father’s works. I am here as your servant."
The Jews shouted, "We do not stone you for any work done, but because of your blasphemy. You have raised yourself to the level of God, while you stand among us as a mere mortal. We shall shed your blood to show that you are mortal. How dare you say that you are God, one with the Holy One? You must be demon-possessed, you deserve instant destruction.
With full confidence Jesus replied, "Have you not read in your Law that God used to personally speak to his elect, saying, "You are gods, you are all sons of the Most High" (Psalm 82:6), whereas you are yourselves perishing and falling from one sin into another. Doubtless, all are sinners, wandering in error. Yet God called them "gods and sons" for His divine name’s sake. He has no wish for you to perish, but that you may live for ever. Return to your God and be holy as He is."
"So, why do you want to stone me? God Himself calls you "gods and children". I have not committed a sin like you. I am holy in word and in deed; I have the right to live for ever, as the true Son of God. Read what is written in your Law and you will know me, but you do not believe even in your Scriptures and do not recognize my deity."
"I have not sent myself, but the Holy Father has sent me. I am his Son; He is my Father. His holiness rests in me. So I am God from God, light from light, begotten not created, of one essence with the Father."
Jesus overcame the Jews with texts from their own Scriptures, and demolished their arguments. But their eyes remained malignant with hatred, but they lowered their arms, since Jesus had proved from their Book the possibility of divine Sonship in the Old Testament generally and in particular applied to him.
JOHN 10:37-39
37 If I don’t do the works of my Father, don’t believe me. 38 But if I do them, though you don’t believe me, believe the works; that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” 39 They sought again to seize him, and he went out of their hand.
"This means," explained Jesus, "You must believe in me, as I do what God does, works of mercy. Sovereignty would not be mine if I did not represent his compassion. Since His love is incarnate in me, I have the authority to fulfill God’s works, for they are truly the Father’s work."
"It may be your minds failed to grasp deity in humanity. Nevertheless, examine my works, who can raise the dead by his word, and open blind eyes, or still the storm, or feed 5.000 famished folk with five loaves and two fishes? Do you long for the Holy Spirit to open your minds and hear His voice so that you may know that God Himself is in me? When you are filled with the Holy Spirit you will abide in this essential knowledge and realize that the fullness of deity is in me bodily."
Here and before the milling crowds, Jesus uttered the mighty words, that he was in the Father, and as the branch abides in the vine and receives strength from the roots, so also Christ proceeds from the Father and abides in Him. The two are indivisible, in perfect harmony and unity. Thus we can say, the Son is hidden in the Father, to reveal his Father and honor Him. So the most famous of prayers begins, "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name."
Whoever delves deeply in the testimony of Jesus on his deity, in prayer and adoration, will realize it is the decisive proof against superficial understanding about the Holy Trinity. Not three gods apart from one another, but perfect unity in the Holy Trinity, so with joy we testify that God is One.
When the Jews heard Jesus’ repeated testimony on his perfect union with the Father, they drew back from stoning him. Yet they wished to arrest him and bring him to the High Council there to discover his views. Jesus slipped away from them. No man can harm one of God’s children as long as their Father’s will protects them. Jesus said, "No one can pluck them out of my Father’s hand."
PRAYER: Father and Lamb of God, we see full unity in your love. Our minds cannot grasp deity in your humanity. Your Spirit has illumined us, to realize that great love and your saving deeds. You made us your children. Help us to hallow your name in our motives, words and acts. Sanctify us as you are holy.
QUESTION:
- How did Jesus proclaim his divinity?