The phrase "The One who sent Me" is a significant expression found in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospel of John. It is used by Jesus Christ to refer to God the Father, emphasizing His divine mission and the authority by which He operates. This expression underscores the intimate relationship between Jesus and the Father, as well as the divine origin and purpose of His earthly ministry.

Biblical References:

1. John 5:24 · "Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life." In this passage, Jesus highlights the necessity of believing in both His words and the Father who sent Him, linking faith to eternal life.

2. John 6:38-39 · "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day." Here, Jesus emphasizes His submission to the Father's will, indicating that His mission is divinely ordained and focused on the salvation and preservation of believers.

3. John 7:28-29 · "Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, 'You know Me, and you know where I am from. I have not come on My own, but He who sent Me is true. You do not know Him, but I know Him because I am from Him and He sent Me.'" This declaration asserts Jesus' divine origin and the authenticity of His mission, while also pointing to the lack of recognition of God by His audience.

4. John 8:16 · "But even if I do judge, My judgment is true, because I am not alone; I am with the Father who sent Me." Jesus here affirms the truth and righteousness of His judgment, rooted in His unity with the Father.

5. John 12:44-45 · "Then Jesus cried out, 'Whoever believes in Me does not believe in Me alone, but in the One who sent Me. And whoever sees Me sees the One who sent Me.'" This statement highlights the unity between Jesus and the Father, suggesting that to know Jesus is to know God Himself.

6. John 17:3 · "Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent." In His high priestly prayer, Jesus defines eternal life as knowing both the Father and the Son, reinforcing the concept of being sent by the Father as central to His identity and mission.

Theological Significance:

The repeated use of "The One who sent Me" in the Gospel of John serves several theological purposes. It affirms the pre-existence of Christ, His divine authority, and His role as the mediator between God and humanity. This expression also emphasizes the Trinitarian relationship, where Jesus operates in perfect unity and obedience to the Father, fulfilling the divine plan of redemption.

Furthermore, this phrase challenges the audience to recognize Jesus not merely as a prophet or teacher but as the incarnate Son of God, sent with a specific purpose. It calls for a response of faith and belief in both Jesus and the Father, as the acceptance of one is intrinsically linked to the acceptance of the other.

Conclusion:

The expression "The One who sent Me" is a profound declaration of Jesus' divine mission and identity. It invites believers to understand the depth of the relationship between Jesus and the Father and to respond in faith to the revelation of God through His Son.