John 17:6
The scripture for today is John 17:6
John 17:6 I have manifested your name unto the men that you gave me out of the world: yours they were, and you gave them to me; and they have kept your word.
Jesus, in John 17, intercedes not only for His disciples but for the whole church who would come after them. And, while in context, our text today focuses on the disciples who followed Christ in obedience to His call, it is just as relevant to those who followed after them.
When Jesus prays, “I have manifested your name,” He is not speaking, as some suppose, about the proper name of God. “The word name here includes the attributes or character of God. Jesus made known His character, His law, His will, His plan of mercy –or, in other words, He had revealed GOD to them. The word name is often used to designate the person.” Albert Barnes
Christ came not only to die for the sin of the world but also to reveal God to a world that did not know Him. “A little of the Divine nature was known by the works of creation; a little more was known by the Mosaic revelation: but the full manifestation of God, His nature, and His attributes came only through the revelation of Christ.” Adam Clarke
“All that man needs to know or can know of God has been revealed in the life and character of His Son. ‘No man hath seen God at any time; the only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him. John 1:18’” Ellen White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, p. 286
“They have kept your word” is our Lord’s declaration to His Father in heaven. “This does not imply perfect obedience, but notes that in contrast with the majority of the Jews the disciples had cast their lot with Jesus and had sought to fulfill the requirements of discipleship.” SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 5, p.1052
May we also seek to fulfill the requirements of discipleship and follow in the steps of Christ like the disciples of old and by His grace keep the word of God.
God bless you as you continue in His service.
Tim