As he was concluding his discussion with the Jewish authorities, as that pertained to their differences in worldview of what the Messiah would be like, Jesus declared: “I and (my) Father are one!” (John 10:30). Nearly 2000 years later, folks are still in disagreement with what this statement means. Some scholars tell us that Jesus is affirming his deity, while others conclude it means Jesus and the Father share unity of purpose, work, desire etc. However, if this is all that Jesus’ statement means, why did the Jewish authorities try to stone him (John 10:31)? How could they find fault with someone saying of another: we thing alike, or we desire the same things etc.? So, these same scholars try to tell us that the authorities misunderstood what Jesus meant, but is this true, and how can we know?
Let’s consider some of Jesus own statements about himself and his relationship with the Father. Jesus told some of the 5000 he miraculously fed from the supply of five barley loaves and two fish (John 6:9) that he came to earth out of heaven and was sent by God (John 6:38). He also claimed that he drew his life from the Father (John 6:57), and in a similar fashion those who believe and are satisfied in him will live by him. Originally, then, Jesus was in heaven and came to earth with a message from God. He that came from heaven (John 6:38) was made flesh, vis-à-vis he became a man (John 1:14), but he drew his life, not from Adam through Jesus’ mother, but from God (John 6:57). Mary provided the body of flesh (John 1:14), but the Father provided Jesus’ life.
On the night before he was crucified, Jesus discussed his relationship with his Father with his disciples, and when he prayed to his Father, he said that they believed that he (Jesus) came out from the Father (John 17:8; cp. 16:27). While words explain many things, I have to say that these words call me to believe something, which on the face I can’t really explain or visualize. What would it look like for us to see (if we could, but we can’t) that Jesus came **out** from God? Perhaps Paul says it best, when he tells Timothy to fight the good fight of faith (1Timothy 6:12) until the appearing (coming) of Christ, who, when he comes: “will reveal who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in Light which cannot be approached, whom no one of men have seen, nor can see; to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen” (1Timothy 6:15-16).
So, before he became man (John 1:14) and after he ascended on high to where he was before (Acts 1:9; Ephesians 4:8; cp. John 6:62) the One we call Jesus and King of kings and Lord of lords (cp. Revelation 17:14; 19:16) dwelt **in** the Light that no man is able to approach or see. This is a little better to understand, namely that Jesus who claims to be the Light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5) dwells in the Light, which is God (1John 1:5), and he, vis-à-vis the Light of the world (John 8:12) came out from God (John 17:8), who is Light (1John 1:5). I’m getting a picture now, but it’s still a little fuzzy for someone like me. Though I believe the word of God, believing doesn’t always mean I understand. Nevertheless, to continue, Jesus seems to tell me through his discussion with Peter that though I don’t understand now, I will understand later (John 13:7).
It seems to me, that if Jesus is bringing in as the New Covenant what Paul calls a new creature (2Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15) or a new man (Ephesians 2:15; 4:24; Colossians 3:10), then, perhaps, we can get still another picture of this in the first creation of man, because God created man to be the image of the Godhead (Genesis 1:27). So, in the beginning God created man (Genesis 2:7). One of the first things the Lord taught man was that nothing in creation was quite like him, and when Adam came to realize this, the Lord said it was no longer good for him to be alone (Genesis 2:19-20; cp. verse-18). Therefore, the Lord caused a deep sleep to come over Adam, and out of the man he took that which he made into his helper. Moreover, because she was taken out of the man, Adam named her Woman. And, the Lord said they, the two, are one flesh. Notice, Adam’s helper came out of him and into the world and the two were one. With this, I believe I have a clearer picture of what Jesus meant: “I and the Father are One!” Adam was flesh (Genesis 2:23), but God is Spirit (John 4:24). If the man and the woman in intimate fellowship were one flesh (mankind), then the Father and Jesus in intimate fellowship are one Spirit (God)!
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