Sometimes the Scriptures state directly Jesus’ divinity, “The Word was God.” (John 1:1) Other times Jesus Himself alludes to the fact, “he that hath seen me hath seen the Father”. (John 14:9) The latter is the case in this article. See how Jesus’ words incensed the religious leaders around Him.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one. 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? 33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. (John 10:27-33)

There are at least three important points to make from this passage with regards to Jesus’ divinity. First, Jesus states that He gives the sheep eternal life and secures them. (vs. 28) This is a divine act. No human being has the power to give another human being eternal life. That’s just not something that a person can have control over. However, God does. So by this very statement, Jesus is already affirming His divine nature.

Second, Jesus states that He is equal with God. (vs. 30) Interestingly, the preceding verse emphasizes a distinction between Jesus and the Father. However, Jesus states that They are one. This is the orthodox view. Jesus is equal in essence, quality, and character, with the Father, but distinct in person. This is something which we cannot understand, yet is true nonetheless. The fact that we are not God is reason enough for our inability to comprehend this.

Third, the Jews recognized that Jesus was stating that He was God. (vs. 33) This is a devastating point. There are some who say that Jesus never said that He was God. This is completely incorrect, unless they are looking for Him to have said the exact words, “I am God.” As this series will demonstrate, Jesus affirmed His divinity on a number of occasions. This is one of them. The Jews heard, “I and my Father are one” and they were ready to put him to death for blasphemy because Jesus made Himself God. (vs. 33)

We need to be like those in the verse at the end of this chapter, “And many believed on him there.” (John 10:42)