1. The Key Distinction between Ontological vs. Functional Roles

Source (Facebook): Don Kern

Scripture presents two simultaneous truths:

A. Ontology (What Jesus is by nature):

• Fully God (John 1:1; 20:28; Col 2:9; Heb 1:3)
• Fully Man (John 1:14; Phil 2:7–8; Heb 2:14–17)

B. Function (What Jesus does in His mission):

• The Sent One, the Agent of the Father (John 5:23; 5:30; 6:38; 8:42; 17:3–8)
• The Mediator (1 Tim 2:5)
• The Servant (Isaiah 42; 49; 53; Phil 2:7–8)

Being subordinate in role does not imply inferiority in nature.
This applies to all persons (different roles but equal in nature)

• Husbands/wives
• Parents/children
• Teachers/students
• Employers/employees
• Presidents/citizens
• Kings/subjects
• The Son within the Godhead during the incarnation.

2. Jewish Agency Clarifies Function, Not Ontology

In Second Temple Judaism, a shaliach (agent/representative) carried full authority for the one who sent him:

“A person’s agent is as the person himself.” —Mishnah, Berakhot 5:5

But crucially:

• The agent shares the sender’s authority functionally,
• The agent is not ontologically identical to the sender.

Thus, when Jesus says:

• “The Father sent Me” (John 6:38)
• “I came from Him” (John 8:42)
• “I do nothing of Myself” (John 5:30)

He is speaking of His role, not denying His divine nature.

This is exactly why He can also say:

• “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30)
• “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9)
• “All may honor the Son just as they honor the Father” (John 5:23)

Only a divine Agent could make the sender visible and receive the sender’s honor.

3. The Incarnation Makes Agency Possible

Jesus is fully God eternally, but becomes fully man in time:

• He humbled Himself (Phil 2:6–8)
• Took the role of a servant
• While retaining the nature of God

Philippians 2 is key:

“Being in the form of God… emptied Himself… taking the form of a servant.”

This shows:

• Before incarnation → Jesus shares divine glory, nature, equality (v. 6)
• After incarnation → Jesus operates in a servant role (v. 7–8)

Thus, His agency flows from His human role yet does not compromise His divine identity.

4. The Son’s Eternal Relationship With the Father

Jesus is the Father’s Son eternally (not created):

• “The only-begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father” (John 1:18)
• “Glorify Me with the glory I had with You before the world existed” (John 17:5)
• “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58)

The Son eternally proceeds from the Father (John 5:26; Heb 1:3)
—but not as a creature.

Thus the Father–Son relationship (authority, sending, glorifying) is:

• Eternal (not created)
• Functional (not ontological subordination)

5. How Can Someone Fully God Act as an Agent?

Because agency concerns mission, not essence.

Jesus as God the Son shares the Father’s nature,
but as the incarnate Son, He submits to the Father’s will.

This mirrors:

• Hebrews 10:5–7 — “A body You prepared for Me… I have come to do Your will.”
• John 12:49 — “The Father Himself has given Me command.”
• Luke 22:42 — “Not My will, but Yours be done.”

This is the incarnate human will submitting to the divine will of the Father.
This does not deny His deity—but showcases the true humanity He took on.

6. Summary: The Two Levels That Reconcile Everything

Level 1 — Divine Nature (Equality)

• Jesus is fully God, uncreated, eternal.
• Shares the Father’s nature and glory.
• Receives equal worship.

Level 2 — Incarnate Mission (Agency)

• Jesus is sent, obeys, serves, mediates, and represents.
• Agency is a functional role, not a denial of deity.
• His humanity makes His agency meaningful.

Therefore:

Jesus is fully God by nature,
and fully the Father’s agent by mission.
These do not conflict; they explain one another.