They Are One!

"If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father" (John 15:24 ESV).

When Jesus was talking to the disciples who were walking with Him while He was here on earth, He made several things abundantly clear to those who had established a relationship with Him--who He was, who we were, and who the Father is.

Most people know of this chapter of John as Jesus speaking to us about being fruitful and it is. However, Jesus also tells us (His living disciples) that we are friends and not servants, the world will hate us because they hate Him, and that the world (those who refuse to believe) "have seen and hated both me and my Father." If people can remember parts of speech from their elementary English classes, they would realize that the conjunction used--and--is referencing Jesus and the Father--seen and hated.

Why would Jesus say that? Realistically, in spite of some may choose to believe--Jesus and God the Father are One and the same. God is Spirit (we cannot see Spirit)--who enveloped Himself in flesh and came to earth in the flesh as Jesus (who could be seen). We know this is true because of all the references Jesus gives throughout the Gospel of John. In fact, it is because of His relationship with John that we are given such personal details about the man--Jesus and God the Father. Jesus acknowledges that the two are One, but as a man, He has submitted to the commandments of the Father so we would know that living according to God's Word is can be accomplished.  But then, notice how Jesus notes who He is by extension of God--"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you" (John 15:7). What words? The words that the Father had already given to mankind and they refused to accept and live by; Jesus reiterated only what He had already taught as given to Moses.

In order to truly understand the relationship of God and Jesus, one must have a relationship with them. Discernment of a true nature does not come by merely reading a bible or praying or repeating what someone has said or written. Without a personal, intimate relationship with God, one will never understand why the Father and Jesus are One. But for those of us who have that relationship with Him, we can rest assured that the World will hate us and persecute us because they do not understand. We also know that we are over-comers, more than conquerors, victorious in all things that glorify the Father because of our relationship with the One who knows all and we know the end of the matter.

Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us enough to give us understanding of Your Word and in choosing us to do the work of He who sent You to us, cementing our relationship for all eternity.