Homily on John 10: 27-30 “I and the Father are one” ( sunday the 11nth of May 2025)
Praise be to Jeus Christ
Some weeks ago, I saw a video. It was a religious debate, a heated one, between people of different faiths. One person from another faith said boldly, “Jesus never said He is God. Christians are making Him bigger than He really is. He was only a prophet.” Then he added, “If you could show me a verse in the Bible where Jesus Himself says that He is God, he would accept it.” He kept repeating that line, almost like a challenge: “Where did Jesus say, ‘I am God’? It is not there in the Bible.”
When I heard that, I felt a deep pain. Not just because someone was speaking wrongly about our Lord, but because many Christians might hear that and get confused, or maybe even lose their faith. These kinds of challenges are common. We may hear such words often, maybe in college discussions, maybe from people at work, or even from friends. It’s a common challenge. But if we listen carefully to today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus say something very deep — “I and the Father are one.”
This is not just poetry. It is not just a spiritual idea. It is a bold truth. And the people who heard it, understood it very well. They picked up stones to throw at Him. Why? Because they knew exactly what He meant. He was claiming to be one with God, not just close to God, not just blessed by God, but one with God.
When people say Jesus never claimed to be divine, they are not reading the Gospel with open eyes. Take other examples from the Gospel: St. John 8:58, where Jesus says, “Before Abraham was, I am.” He did not say, “I was born before Abraham,” but “I am,” the same name God used to describe Himself to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). That “I am” is not casual language. It’s the very name God used when He spoke to Moses. And what did the people do? Again, they picked up stones. They understood He was claiming God’s identity. In John 5:18, we read that the Jews tried even harder to kill Jesus “because He was calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.”
Later, again in John’s Gospel, chapter 14:9, when Philip asked Jesus to show him the Father, Jesus replied saying, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” Has anyone talked like this? Not a prophet. Not a preacher. Only someone who is God Himself — that is Jesus.
Let us come to the Last Judgement scene of Jesus, where Jesus was standing before the High Priest, and the question came straight at Him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus didn’t avoid it. He answered clearly, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:61–62). That answer shook them. The High Priest rent his cloth in anger and said, “Why do we need any more witnesses? You have all heard His blasphemy.” And that was enough for them to decide Jesus should die.
And remember an interesting incident after the resurrection, when Thomas saw Jesus alive, with the wounds still in His hands, what did he say? He didn’t say, “You are alive” or “You are a holy man.” He fell on his knees and said, “My Lord and my God.” (John 20:28). Jesus did not stop him. He accepted those words. Why? Because they were true.
Dear friends, sometimes in our simplicity, we might get shaken by strong voices or loud arguments. But the truth is not difficult to understand. It’s not about clever words. It’s about listening with faith.
Jesus did not call people to him and shouted, “I am God.” like a slogan. However, He revealed it in every word, every miracle, and every act of mercy. And in today’s Gospel, He said it plainly, “I and the Father are one.”
And what does that mean for you and me?
It means that the one we pray to is not just a kind teacher. He is not just a healer. He is God. When He says, “No one can take you from my hand,” that is not just comforting language. It’s a divine promise. It means that no matter what storm comes, no matter who speaks against us, no matter how weak we feel we are safe in His hands. Unless we walk away from Him, no one can pull us away.
So, if someone asks you, “Did Jesus really say He is God?” tell them gently. Open the Gospel. Show them John 10:30. Show them John 8:58. Let the Word speak for itself. But more than that let your life speak. Let your peace, your hope, your love for others be the loudest testimony that Jesus is not just someone we follow. He is our Lord and He is our God.
Lord Jesus, You are our God and help us never to forget that.
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God Bless…
