In Matthew Chapter 11, verse 27, we read these words spoken by Jesus Christ to His disciples: “All things are delivered unto me of my Father, and no man knows the Son, but the Father, neither knows any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him.”
I fear most Christians read that verse and it never dawns on them what Jesus Christ was actually saying when making that rather cryptic statement. If God had not inspired the writing of the Book of Hebrews, mankind, yes, and even true believers, would have remained in the dark regarding the words we have just read from Matthew’s gospel account.
Do YOU know who the Son is and who He is not? There is one denomination in Christianity known as the Apostolic Faith Church, also known as the “Jesus Only” people. They have been dubbed “Jesus Only” believers due to the fact that one doctrine they ascribe to says that there is Jesus only in what many call “the godhead.” They believe that Jesus Christ and God the Father are one and the same person. After all, didn’t Jesus say to Philip, “if you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” Didn’t He also say, “I and the Father are one.” Doesn’t that settle the matter. No, not quite.
Yes, Jesus did tell Philip, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father,” but don’t leap to a false conclusion here. (See John 14:9). Jesus was not telling Philip that He and the Father were one and the same being, but only that He so perfectly reflected the Father’s character, mind and personality that to see and know Jesus was if you had actually met and been with the Father. In Hebrews 1:3 we learn that Jesus bore the express image of the Father’s person. We are also told in that same verse that after ascending back to heaven Jesus “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Since that moment in time Jesus has served as God the Father’s high priest between God and men.
And when Jesus said, “I and the Father are one,” He was not saying they were one and the same being. He was merely saying that they were one in purpose and plan, that they were in total unity in all matters. The very context in which He makes that statement shows that is what He actually meant. (See John 10:27-30). It is in that very same context Jesus says, “My Father…is greater than all,” including Himself!
In Jesus’ high priestly prayer recorded in the 17th chapter of John, Jesus prays that believers “may be one, as we are.” (See John 17:11). Therefore, if Jesus saying “I and the Father are one” meant that He and the Father were one and the same being, then He was praying that believers become one and the same being – no longer individuals. He was merely praying that believers be unified in their beliefs, doctrines and goals, all “speaking the same thing, and that there be no divisions (differing denominations) among you” (See I Corinthians 1:10). In Luke 1:32 Jesus is called “the Son OF THE HIGHEST.” Paul would be appalled at the scores of denominations now in Christianity. (Satan is far better at his job than many remotely suspect).
Following His resurrection, Jesus appears to Mary at the garden tomb. Notice what He says to her: “Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father, but go unto my brethren, and say unto them, ‘I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, AND TO MY GOD, and your God.” (See John 20:17). Some might argue, “Well, that was true while Jesus was still on earth and in the flesh, but it is no longer true.” Read on, friend.
Jesus has been back in heaven at the Father’s side for sixty years when He speaks these words to the church at Philadelphia: “Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of MY GOD, and he shall go no more out, and I will write upon him the name of MY GOD, and the name of the city of MY GOD, which is new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from MY GOD, and I will write upon him my new name.” (See Revelation 3:12).
In these two verses of scripture alone we see Jesus referring to His heavenly Father as being HIS GOD, and continuing to call Him that after having returned to the Father’s side in heaven and seating Himself at the Father’s right hand! To be continued…..
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley