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That the disciples of Christ might neither be overset with fears, not overwhelmed with grief, he tells them that they ought to entertain the news of his departure rather with joy and exultation, than with sorrow and dejection: If ye loved me, ye would rejoice because I go to the Father. True love to Christ will make us rejoice in his advancement and exaltation, although it be to our own disadvantage. These words My Father is greater than I, must be understood with reference to his human nature, as mediator; for so he was the Father's servant, and the Father, as God, was greater than he, as man.
Again the Father may be said to be greater than Christ in regard of his paternity, as being the fountain of the deity the Father is of himself, but the Son is begotten of the Father: but being of the same substance with the Father, he is consequently God, as the Father is God: for the inequality arises not from the essence, but from the order and manner of subsistence.
Thus the Father was greater than he: greater and greater is he that gives, than he that receives, but, as to his essence, they are both one God, and so equal.
Three ways the Father was greater than Christ;
1. With respect to his human nature. Who can doubt but a dependent creature is inferior to that Almighty Being that made him?
2. With respect to the eternal generation of his divine person; as he was begotten of the Father, who is therefore called the fountain of the deity.
3. With respect to his office as Mediator, for thus he was the Father's servant. O wonderful condescension! that the eternal word, who, as such, was equal with the Father, should, in compassion to us, accept a station, and sustain a character, in which the Father was greater than he!
Now though under each of these considerations, God the Father is greater than the Son, yet none of them are inconsistent with the Son's being God by nature.