As we dilate on the above topic, we can only make headway when we submit to the Holy Spirit for wisdom and divine understanding. Human understanding and sequence of fallible human logic is too simplistic to explain the mysteries of the relationship and image of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit except by divine revelation.
We would therefore defer to what Jesus taught us in scripture as a guide. We do not need to be defensive about our respective positions and points of view but to soberly accept the truth based on the bible no matter our faith, religion or creed. Our obstinate entrenched positions based on human philosophy or doctrines cannot and will not change or vary a divine fact which is sealed in heaven.
What Jesus said of himself?
Jesus’ statements and teachings about God and himself also make it clearer for doubting minds irrespective of our religious affiliations or belief systems as to who he is. In the early years of his life Jesus said that did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house, Luke 2:49. Jesus knew the distinction between himself and God from onset and did not confuse or obfuscate the facts but in humility and truth taught that God was his Father and he was the Son in spite of the fact that he bore God’s image.
Jesus Christ always referred to God as his Father or his Father in heaven. There are countless examples and instances of these facts which are recorded in the Bible. In John 10:25 Jesus said that the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness to me. He attributed his success to God as being distinct from him as the Son yet with God’s image and authority. Jesus said that I have shown you many good works from the Father, John 10:32. Jesus referring to the house of God said you shall not make my Father’s house a house of trade, John 2:16.
In other references he says that it is written that my house shall be called a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of robbers, Matthew 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46. In the above scriptural passages, Jesus draws a distinction between himself as God’s Son and God as his Father in heaven yet affirms that what he does is predicated on God’s authority which God has given to him because he has God’s image which makes them as one. This means Jesus the Son and God the Father are inseparable or intertwined with common image yet maintain their separate hierarchical authority.
Jesus in referring to heaven said that in my Father’s house are many rooms, John 14:2. In other translations it says in my Father’s kingdom are many mansions. In effect Jesus said the ownership was God’s and not his. He therefore did not rival God in any way but maintained a harmonious relationship with God the Father. Jesus said the word which you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me, John 14:24. In teaching his disciples how to pray, Jesus said when you pray say our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Matthew 6:9. Jesus taught us in Matthew 23:9 that for you have one Father, who is in heaven.
Clearly Jesus did not present himself as the Father God Almighty who is in heaven but encouraged us to acknowledge God, hallow his name and to know him as we ought to. When Jesus was requested to grant favour to sit on his right hand, Jesus said in Matthew 20:23 that it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father. In further acknowledging God as superior and distinct from him, Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane said to God the Father that Father if it is possible let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt, Matthew 26:39. Jesus derived his authority from God so he subjected his will to God’s will as a Son. With the same submissive spirit, Jesus cried on the cross, my God why hast thou forsaken me, Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34; Luke 13:35.
Jesus in all these instances never claimed that he was God in spite of bearing God’s image as a mark and confirmation of God’s authority. When we delegate authority to someone to act in our stead, we in effect authorize that person to exercise all authority as may be required to effectuate the authority and the donor is deemed to ratify that authority exercised in good faith. God gave Jesus his authority for our salvation and all that goes with it and so shall it be and remain with Jesus.
Jesus said that I go to show myself to the Father after his resurrection in Matthew 20:17. He said just as the Father has loved me so have I loved you, abide in my love, John 15:9. Jesus said that I do nothing on my own authority but speak thus as the Father has taught me, John 8:28. He said he could ask his Father to command twelve legions of angels to come to his rescue, Matthew 26:53. In referring to the end of the world, Jesus said no one knows the day or hour except the Father, Matthew 24:36. He said he will ask the Father to send us the Holy Spirit who shall teach us all things, John 14:26.
The plethora of Jesus’ references to his Father in heaven never demonstrated that he said he is God or that he is equivalent to God. Jesus rather acknowledged God and honestly said that God is in charge of all authority. So in every situation, Jesus sought the face of God and did not act on his own in spite of the authority which God had given to him. There is no biblical reference where Jesus said that he is God except that we have rather misconstrued what Jesus said. Jesus who referred to God as Abba Father will not rival God. His obedience to God despite his exalted position was so pleasing to God that God said we should listen to him. We must always search scripture to know the truth to set us free.
Prayer
Abba Father, graciously restore to us a worthy relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour who is your only pleasing Son with your approved authority as our Saviour. We plead in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!!
