The Father and I are one. (John 10:30)

Read: 2 Chronicles 19:1 – 20:37, Romans 10:14 – 11:12, Psalm 21:1-13, Proverbs 20:4-6

Relate: Six words. Has there ever been a more dynamic statement packed into such a short statement? Is there any other statement on the nature of God that has been so hotly debated or so closely dissected? If I were to jump into the fray, the first point I would want to make is that: “The Father and I are” is all in the masculine form while “one” is in the neuter. Trinitarians will make a big deal about this and how it demonstrates how Jesus and the Father are two in substance and one in essence. When coupled with other scriptures it is a very legitimate argument that, for brevity’s sake, I will not dig deeper here.

Non-Trinitarians would say their opponents are making too much of the scripture and that when you look at it in context it is clear that Jesus is saying He is one with the Father in power and purpose. They are one in function. This is clear when you see that in 10:28 no one can snatch the sheep out of Jesus hand, then in 10:29 no one can snatch the sheep out of the Father’s hand. Both Jesus and the Father share the same power and purpose in holding on to their sheep.

This also is true but looking at the verse in context would also require us to look at the following verses and how the Jews responded to Jesus’ claim. That is for another day…

React: I make no qualms about identifying myself as a Trinitarian. I honestly cannot see how someone can look at the corpus of scripture and not come away with this view but if you aren’t sure what I mean by the Trinity, click here.

That said, I think the attempt to focus so much on the Trinitarian implications of this powerful statement draws away from the very practical, down to earth truth of what Jesus is saying. God has a grip on us. Both God the Father and God the Son have us in their hand. They are loving us, protecting us, and keeping us. Although there are some very legitimate theological questions that each of us needs to explore and settle, there is also a simpler yet deeper truth to what Jesus is saying. Rather than get caught up in a non-vs-trinitarian debate or a backsliding-vs-eternal security discussion, why not simply rest in the truth that we are being held in some very strong and very loving hands?

Respond: 

God, I am so grateful that You love me, care for me, and are protecting me in ways I cannot even imagine or understand. I long to know everything about You, but God, in my quest for knowledge and understanding let me never lose sight of the fact that the greatest thing I can know is Your heart. You have a heart of love and, inexplicably, that love has been showered down on me. For this, I am always grateful.