Jesus repeatedly spoke about His 'Father'. He was not talking about Joseph, the husband of his mother, Mary, and the religious leaders knew that. The 'Father' was clearly identified as being God; as in Isaiah 63:16b "you O Lord are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name" and in Psalm 89:26 "He will call out to me, 'You are my Father, my God, the Rock my Saviour."
 
So they tested Jesus, asking where His Father was; to which Jesus said 'you do not know where to find God even though I am with you ... so you do not know me either'! He was unafraid and unashamed to say that if they knew Him they would know God also. To the traditional Jewish mind this was blasphemy, and yet the authority of His words and the protection of the Holy Spirit prevented them from arresting Him. That moment would only arrive when Father God decreed.
 
Jesus claimed to be equal with God, and to be the only way through which people can come to know God. In our day, the words of Jesus are still shocking to many; and yet they are true. All those who believe them are saved and become children of God (John 1:12) rejoicing in salvation. That is why believers everywhere need to be bold to proclaim Jesus above their church, their worship and their ministry. Although people may be fascinated by what we do, their lives will only be changed when they believe who Jesus is and so find their way to God.