If the Jews weren’t convinced as to Christ’s previous claim of deity with His “I am” statement, it certainly was reinforced with His pronouncement, “I and My Father are one.” We see in this episode Christ beginning His discourse with the Jewish leaders with the fact that, as God, He has the authority to give eternal life, and also the power to keep His “sheep,” or followers, eternally safe. Christ then let the truth of His Person and identity stand or fall on His works and miracles, which demonstrated His unity and oneness with the Father.