kiwiekat said:
I know they are all equal, but they have different roles, right? And Jesus' role is more submissive, that's why God is the head of Jesus...but why? I mean it seems like the one who gets the leader role is better, but it's not so with God...the question is, how would I support that idea if it is true?
Kiwie, the reason there's always perfect harmony in the Godhead is simple, God doesn't sin. And the thought that the leader role is
"better" is something that only sinful creatures could conceive of. We certainly see this in the great sin of Satan, yes! He wished to usurp the power, authority, and office of God and you know the result of that. But that kind of thinking does not dwell within the mind or the nature of God.
Not to keep harping on the marriage example, but in a traditional nuclear family, do you see the woman's role as wife and stay at home mom as somehow less important than the husband's who goes to work? Would you classify his role in the family as "better"?
Or think of another example, like a Deacon board. Is the role of Head Deacon "better" somehow than the role of Deacon of Worship, or Deacon of Education, etc.? It may, in fact, be so for you, if that's what your calling is. But if your calling is to be in the role of, let's say, Deaconess of Missions, yet you are constantly trying to assume the role of Head Deacon which rightly belongs to another, know that these kind of thoughts most often come from envy, jealousy, and/or our prideful lust for power, not from the mind or heart of God (or from the mind or heart of one who chooses to walk in righteousness). Take what St. John tells us for example:
"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:15-17)
Also, where the Book of Hebrews clearly defines Jesus as being God Himself, it also gives us a clear picture of part of Christ's nature and heart concerning His relationship to His Father. For example:
"Of the Son God says, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your companions. (Hebrews 1:8-9)
But then Jesus speaking in Hebrews 10 says:
Then I said, Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of Me) to do Your will, O God. (Hebrews 10:7)
Or in the Garden of Gethsemane:
"Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done. (Luke 22:42)
So whether on Earth as the God-man, or in Heaven as the Son
(1 Cor. 15:28), Jesus will always subject Himself to the rule of His Father, the leader among equals in the Godhead, and remain in the position and ministry that is His to possess and care for. His nature (which is purely righteous) will allow for nothing less, yes!?
Hope that helps a bit.(?) You know, something you might want to get your hands on and read (or re-read) is C. S. Lewis' little book called
"Mere Christianity". It may help you put this issue (and others) to rest. See especially Chpt 8 of Book 3 (this one little book is divided as four books in one) called
"The Great Sin" (which is all about "Pride").
Yours and His,
David
p.s. - as to your other question, yes, the HS does appear to subject Himself to both the will of the Father and of the Son (although our Eastern/Russian Orthodox brothers might disagree
... read about the
"Filioque" and the "great schism". But that's definitely for a different thread!!
