Why Jesus said "My Father is Greater than I"

 Why Jesus said "My Father is Greater than I" John 14:28 (New Testament, NIV)

The statement "the Father is greater than I" is found in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Gospel of John. This statement is attributed to Jesus and is often cited to highlight a key aspect of Christian theology regarding the relationship within the Holy Trinity. The Holy Trinity is the Christian belief in one God who exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.

The statement you're referring to is typically understood in the context of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. When Jesus said, "the Father is greater than I," he was acknowledging the distinction in roles and hierarchy within the Trinity, particularly in the context of his earthly ministry. This statement does not imply any inferiority of Jesus to the Father in terms of his divine nature but rather emphasizes the different roles they play in the plan of salvation.

Here are some key points to understand:

1. Equality in Essence: According to Christian doctrine, Jesus is fully divine and shares the same divine essence or nature as God the Father. In theological terms, they are consubstantial, meaning they have the same substance or essence.
2. Distinction in Persons: While they share the same divine essence, they are distinct persons within the Trinity. The Father is the one who sends the Son into the world (John 3:16), and the Son willingly submits to the Father's will (John 5:30). This submission is part of the divine plan for the salvation of humanity.
3. Incarnation: Jesus' statement about the Father being greater than him is often associated with his earthly ministry, during which he voluntarily limited the use of his divine attributes to fulfill his mission as the Messiah. In his human nature, he willingly submitted to the Father's will and carried out his redemptive work.
4. Theological Implications: This statement underscores the humility and obedience of Jesus during his earthly life and ministry. It is not an indication of a hierarchical inequality within the Trinity but rather an affirmation of the distinct roles and relationships within it.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his disciples during the Last Supper, and he is preparing them for his departure. The key point to understand is that Jesus is referring to his earthly role and mission in this context. Let's break it down:

1. I am going away: Jesus is about to depart from his disciples, which refers to his upcoming crucifixion, death, and ultimately his ascension to heaven.
2. I am coming back to you: Jesus is assuring his disciples that he will return to them. This is a reference to his resurrection and the promise of his continued presence with his followers through the Holy Spirit.
3. The Father is greater than I: This statement acknowledges the distinction in roles between Jesus and the Father within the Holy Trinity. While both are fully divine and share the same essence or nature, they have different roles and functions. In the context of Jesus' earthly ministry, he took on the role of the obedient Son, submitting to the will of the Father for the purpose of redemption.

Here are additional Bible verses that support the concept of the Father and the Son's relationship:

• John 10:30 (NIV): "I and the Father are one." This verse emphasizes their oneness in essence.
• John 5:19 (NIV): "Jesus gave them this answer: 'Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing because whatever the Father does the Son also does.'"
• Philippians 2:6-8 (NIV): "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!"

These verses illustrate the theological concept of the Son's submission to the Father's will during his earthly ministry while affirming their equality in divine nature. This understanding is fundamental to Christian theology and the doctrine of the Trinity.

 In summary, when Jesus said, "the Father is greater than I," he was acknowledging the roles and relationships within the Holy Trinity, emphasizing his submission to the Father's will during his earthly ministry while affirming his equality in essence as God. This verse has been a subject of theological discussion and interpretation throughout Christian history.