1. Does Jesus have equality with the Father?
Yes, Jesus is equal to the Father in His divine nature. The Bible affirms the deity of Christ and His oneness with the Father:
- Philippians 2:6: “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage.”
- John 10:30: Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.”
- Colossians 2:9: “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”
Jesus shares the same divine essence as the Father, making Him fully God. However, during His earthly ministry, He voluntarily subordinated Himself to the Father’s will.
2. Is Jesus inferior to the Father?
In terms of essence and divine nature, Jesus is not inferior to the Father. However, in His role as the Son and during His incarnation, He willingly submitted to the Father:
- John 14:28: Jesus said, “The Father is greater than I.”
This statement reflects His functional subordination during His earthly ministry, not inferiority in nature. Jesus, in His humanity, humbled Himself and operated under the Father’s authority. - Hebrews 2:9: “But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death.”
This “lowering” refers to His incarnation, where He took on human limitations.
3. Why did Jesus pray to the Father?
Jesus prayed to the Father to demonstrate His dependence on God during His human life and to model a life of communion with God for believers:
- Luke 5:16: “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
- John 17: The High Priestly Prayer demonstrates Jesus’ intimate relationship with the Father.
His prayers were a reflection of His humanity and servanthood, as He had voluntarily taken on human nature (Philippians 2:7). Prayer also emphasized the distinct persons of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—while maintaining their unity.
4. Why did Jesus not know the time of His second coming?
Jesus’ statement about not knowing the time of His return refers to His earthly role:
- Mark 13:32: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
This verse highlights the limitations Jesus accepted in His incarnation. As part of His voluntary humility (Philippians 2:7), Jesus temporarily chose not to exercise His divine omniscience in certain matters. This does not mean He ceased being divine but that He operated within the confines of His humanity.
5. Why did Jesus die if He was equal to the Father?
Jesus died to fulfill the divine plan of salvation. His death was a voluntary act of obedience to the Father and an expression of His love for humanity:
- John 10:17-18: “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.”
- Philippians 2:8: “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
Though equal with the Father, Jesus became a servant and submitted to the Father’s will for the redemption of mankind.
6. Why did Jesus say, “My Father is greater than I”?
When Jesus said, “The Father is greater than I” (John 14:28), He was referring to His incarnate state. During His earthly life, Jesus operated within the limitations of His human nature:
- Hebrews 2:14: “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity.”
- Philippians 2:7: He “emptied Himself” by taking on the form of a servant.
This does not mean the Son is ontologically inferior to the Father but that He willingly subordinated Himself to fulfill His mission.
7. Why did Jesus give the kingdom to the Father?
Jesus’ act of delivering the kingdom to the Father signifies the culmination of His redemptive work:
- 1 Corinthians 15:24-28: “Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.”
This act is not about inferiority but the restoration of divine order. Christ’s reign as mediator will culminate in the ultimate glorification of the Triune God.
Summary: The Servanthood of Christ
- Jesus is fully equal with the Father in His divine nature but took on the role of a servant during His earthly ministry (Philippians 2:5-8).
- His prayers, limitations, and obedience reflect His humanity and submission to the Father’s will, not inferiority.
- The distinctions within the Trinity highlight the roles of the Father, Son, and Spirit while maintaining their unity and equality.
The mystery of Jesus’ servanthood and divine equality invites worship and awe, as it reveals His love, humility, and obedience for the sake of our salvation.
John Mammen, johnpm29@yahoo.com 
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