We are quite accustomed to the expression of being “on the same page.” It means we have the same understanding, the same purpose. If we are on the “same page,” we are working WITH and not AGAINST each other.
But there is another related expression. Perhaps you have come upon it also. You go to a web page you have chosen, then when you click to leave, a pop-up asks if you want to “stay on this page.” Another pop-up gives you the option to “leave this page.” You are being asked to confirm your decision.
I’m not sure of the intent of the question, but it looks like you are being encouraged to “stay” not “leave.”
In thinking about this, don’t you see it as another spiritual lesson?
What did Jesus say about being “one” in the right way—as on the same page?
John 10:30 30I and My Father are one.”
He didn’t say He and His Father were one being as is often assumed by Trinitarians, or that they were one substance, but that they were working together. Jesus had joined His Father’s cause. Totally. It is as if He said, we are on the same page. In other words, “I’m WITH You, Father. Your word is my command.”
Why is it so generally misunderstood? Because of the common teaching about the Trinity, which is not scripturally supportable. Jesus and His Father had One cause, one interest, one heart, one goal, not one substance.
In John 17, Jesus prayed that He and His disciples could be one in the same way.
John 17:21 21that they [the believers] all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
Jesus prayed that the believers would be, as we would say, united, on “the same page” as He and His Father.
And Jesus said He wanted them to STAY on that page—all the way into the Kingdom. STAYING has to be a conscious decision. There are so many factors to draw one away, so many other places to go.
In John 14 Jesus brought us together at three levels, with God the Father and Christ and the loyal disciples all on the same page.
John 14:19–20 19“A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
It is a GREAT unity when we think about it. We can be ONE with God, and Jesus, and the rest of the family of believers? What a grand unity! The best that could be imagined. To think that WE matter enough to be on the same page? How reassuring, how encouraging! Let us read verse 20 again:
John 14:20 20At that day you will know that (1) I am in My Father, and (2) you [the disciples] in Me, and (3) I in you.
Of course, He didn’t mean it physically that we are IN each other, but we are working TOGETHER, all on the same page.
And how do we STAY? The KEY to maintaining this working together, from the disciples’ side is the same as always, for us and all: keeping Jesus’ commandments.
John 14:21 21He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
It is again the same: How do we stay on the same page with Jesus and the Father? By our loyal obedience, by keeping Jesus’ commandments. This means DOING the things that MAINTAIN that loving relationship.
Now one of the disciples asks:
John 14:22 22Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”
This disciple wanted to know WHY they have this very special privilege—how did they merit being on the SAME PAGE with Jesus? WHY doesn’t the whole world get this privileged consideration?
The answer is the same again:
John 14:23 23Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word;
There are obligations to be filled. It isn’t a free-for-all. We must show our LOVE for Jesus. And LOVING Jesus means keeping HIS word.
The result?
… My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
“Make our home”… and home means STAY… reside… abide,… at home… on and on and on!
Jesus made the same point when he talked about continuing. STAY on the same page. It isn’t a matter of “Believe” and that is it. Believing is a long-term commitment. Jesus said it in John 8:
John 8:31–32 31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Jesus said it again in the illustration of the vine and the branches. STAY.
John 15:1–4 1“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit…. 4Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
STAY on the page? Continue, or LEAVE it?
Jesus gave this very choice to His disciples, and by the directing of God it found its way into the Scriptures.
It is in John chapter 6. If you recall, He had been giving them some difficult lessons—about eating His spiritual flesh and drinking His spiritual blood—it was all about the words He was speaking.
What happened?
John 6:66 66From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.
It was too much commitment for many. Time to go home. Forget this thing with Jesus!
What did Jesus say at this point to His disciples?
John 6:67–69 67Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
It was the choice: “Leave this page” or “Stay.”
But Peter came back with a resolute answer: “STAY.”
Also the reason to stay?
68…“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Reason enough to STAY! No OTHER source for words of ETERNAL LIFE!
How long must we STAY on the same page?
One common statement of it in Scripture is: “unto the end.” Jesus said it himself:
Matthew 24:11–13 11Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
“To the End” says it all.
Hebrews repeats it.
Hebrews 6:10–11 10For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,
Hold on! Hold fast. Persevere. It is all through the epistles.
In spite of whatever might happen. STAY.
Here is one climaxing statement from Jesus, even when they were facing the very worst:
Revelation 2:10 10Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil [the persecutors, the opposers] are about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days.
What should they do?
Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Whatever comes, HOLD ON! STAY! Remember the crown of life! It is all for the never-ending crown of life!