Chapter 1—The Explicit Monotheism of Jesus
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contrary, “the Son can do nothing of his own accord”; he follows the Father absolutely, for he does “only” “whatever the Father does”. How could a stronger rejection of the charge of equality have been made than this? Relating to God as Father was indeed a central element in Jesus’ life and teaching. Early in his ministry he taught his disciples to speak to God as “Father”, teaching them to pray, “Our Father in heaven”. Nor was this something entirely unique to Jesus as though it was an unknown form of address to God; it occurs in the OT: Isaiah 64.8, “But now, O LORD (Yahweh), you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand”, and “I am a father to Israel”, Jer.31.9; cf. Mal.1.6. And Israel is repeatedly referred to as God’s “son” (Ex.4.22,23; Dt.14.1 “sons” in both Heb. and Gk. texts; so also Isa.1.2). If God is “our Father” collectively, then He is also “my Father” individually; how could He be “our Father” if He is not “my Father”? So Jesus’ speaking of God as “his Father” should not have been any real issue for the Jews, other than that they may have considered him as over-emphasizing this form of addressing God in a way that they felt was overly intimate and therefore irreverent. But none of this holds up as an accusation of claiming equality with God and, therefore, of blasphemy. All this makes it very obvious that the whole episode is one in which the leaders of the nation were trying by all conceivable means to trump up some false charge against Jesus so that they can have him killed, and thus rid themselves of one they regarded as a great troublemaker, a thorn in their side. John 10 27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
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I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one
will snatch them out of my hand. 29
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and
no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30
I and the Father are one.”
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The Jews picked up stones again to stone him.
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Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from
the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?”