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.
In addition to what hath been offered in the former part of this chapter, on the subject of Christ and his Church, as a shepherd and his sheep; I would only beg the Reader to observe here, how blessedly Christ dwells upon those grand features of character. His sheep hear his voice, they know him, they follow him. They hear the voice of Jesus in his word, in his promises, in his providences. They discern the truth, because Jesus himself is the way, the truth, and the life. They are enabled, through the Spirit, to discern Christ's voice from strangers, from hirelings, from false teachers, and false preachers. What doth not tend to humble the sinner, and exalt the Savior, is not of Christ. And as Jesus knows them, calleth them all by their names, that is, speaketh in his word, and by his word, to their cases, wants, and circumstances; so they know him and follow him in the regeneration. And the eventful happy consequence of the whole is, that from their oneness with Christ, and interest in Christ, their present and everlasting welfare is secured, and both the Father and the Son are engaged in the ultimate glory of the whole. So sure, so certain, and so unalterable, are all the purposes of God in Christ. Jehovah saith himself, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my p1easure. Isaiah 46:10
I detain the Reader at the last verse of this paragraph, for his distinct and separate attention. For, although the Lord Jesus adduceth this oneness between the Father and himself, by way of confirmation to what he had said before, and which to be sure becomes the most decisive testimony in proof, that ever can be given; for if Christ and the Father are One, in nature, essence, will, power, and design, nothing of creature strength, or creature policy, can counteract Jehovah's purpose; but I detain the Reader at this verse by way of requesting his closest attention to it on every other account, connected with a doctrine of so highly important a nature. And I do very earnestly beg that he will regard it with all due observation. I, and my Father, (saith Christ), are One. And this oneness runs through all the various parts by which this union can be manifested. Distinct only in person, they are one in everything beside. First, in relation to the essence and nature of the Godhead. In Being, Attributes, Property, Dignity, Glory, and Happiness. In proof, I refer to those blessed scriptures. Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 John 5:7; Zechariah 13:7; Philippians 2:6; Romans 9:5. Hence, is God the Father the mighty God? So is the Son, Isaiah 9:6. Is God the Father omnipresent? So is the Son, Matthew 28:20. Is God the Father omniscient? So is the Son, John 21:17. Is God the Father unchangeable? So is the Son. Hebrews 13:8. And the whole tenor of the divine word, is, that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor, the Father. John 5:23. Secondly, This oneness in design, plan, and execution of the whole purposes relating to the Church, marks all the persons of the Godhead. If the sacred Three in One have graciously entered into covenant engagements with each other, this is, to bring about and accomplish one and the same design. Though, as distinct persons, they have been pleased to undertake distinct offices, yet the whole are directed to manifest their unity, in the promotion of their sovereign will, all harmonizing to the divine glory, and the Church's happiness in Christ. So that when Christ saith, as in this blessed scripture; I, and my Father, are One, is included everything of oneness, the distinction of persons only excepted. And, in proof of this distinction of persons, the words themselves are abundantly satisfactory and conclusive. The word are is plural to the two names, I, and my Father; which could not in common sense have been used without implying this plurality of persons. Reader! pray ponder well these things. They are always blessed to be particularly regarded, but infinitely more so in a Christ-despising generation like the present.