“DESPITE HUMAN FAILURE”

6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.” 

John 17:6

Jesus accomplished His mission and made a way for us to be reconciled with God. But His successful mission isn't the end of His involvement in our redemption. What is He doing now while the Holy Spirit is at work in us? What can we learn from the way the Godhead works?

John chapter 17 is a heartfelt prayer known as Jesus’ “High Priestly Prayer.” After delivering His Farewell Discourse, Jesus now prays for Himself, the disciples, and future believers. This moment is also the start of Jesus’ “time.”

In our last blog, we discussed Jesus’ personal prayer and learned that Jesus’ prayer life is our prime example of deep, reverential, heartfelt prayer. 

At the same time, He is the One who has the authority to give eternal life. As such, our prayers must glorify Him. Jesus is the one true God who gives us eternal life, which is marked by a personal relationship with Him, shown in obedience and submission to God.

In today's verse, Jesus declares that He has manifested (phaneroō, "to make clear what is hidden") God's name to those whom the Father has given Him. That is to say, Jesus reveals the true nature of God through His own works, words, and loving sacrifice. People have the right view of God because of Jesus' earthly life and ministry.

Are Christians part of this group of people receiving Christ's revelation of the Father? The Bible reveals that believers belong to the Father by virtue of election before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-14). From this view, we can understand Jesus’ statement in this verse. The Eleven disciples were given by the Father to the Son and have been taken out of the world to serve Him. They, as well as future believers, are the Father’s gift to the Son. 

Jesus also says, "they have kept Your word," referring to the disciples' allegiance to God. While they failed Jesus multiple times, Jesus confirms the reality of their faith in Him. They have received the Gospel message. Their faith is essential to their identification with Christ.

In the same way, our faith in Jesus and commitment to His teachings prove that we belong to God. While we may fail at times, God does not disown us because of our failures. That’s because our inclusion in the family of God is not because of our own deeds but because of Christ’s accomplishments. In the grand scheme of things, God receives all the glory in saving us. He is worthy of it all!

Pursue the Savior today!

Photo by Yash Rai on Unsplash