“I have manifested Your name to the men
whom You have given Me out of the world.
They were Yours; You gave them to Me,
and they have kept Your word.
John 17:6
Continuing our study on The Excavation of John 17, Jesus spoke in His prayer to the Father in John 17:6 using a term translated into English as “manifested.” Some translations use the word “revealed.” This is from the Greek root word phaneroo, which means “to make something visible, recognizable, explained, or to declare.”
Just as the term used in chapter 1, logos implies a message or speech, this verse indicates that Jesus represented God the Father in His ministry to the disciples. Acting “in the name of” someone means to reveal their will and their authority (John 12:13; 14:26; 15:21; 16:26). (Bible Ref.)
John records in his first letter the experience of the disciples with Jesus.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—” 1 John 1:1-2
Jesus was revealing the Father (His name, His being, His authority, His power), Jesus, Himself, being the “image of the invisible God.” (Col. 1:15)
“who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power,” (Hebrews 1:3)
He revealed the Father’s name to “the men He had given Him out of the world.” We recall the parables Jesus spoke to the crowds but interpreted only to His disciples.
In verse 9, He says He prays for them, “but not for the world.”
The scribes and Pharisees were blind and could not see what Jesus was revealing to those whom the Father had chosen as his own.
Only to those who were predestined before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4: 2 Tim. 1:9), were the Father’s and given to Jesus.
They had “kept His Word.” They had believed and followed as He taught them for three years. In verse 12, He says He kept them “in His name.”
From the start of our study of John 17, we learn that Jesus reveals His Father (and our Father) as a giver and the work He sent Jesus to do reveals Him as a forgiver.
Jesus was given authority over all flesh. (vs. 2) His atonement was His means of giving eternal life to those the Father had given Him.
He finishes the work the Father had given Him to do. (vs. 4)
The Father gave those who were His to Jesus for their atonement and His keeping. (6, 12)
They knew all things which the Father had given Him were from the Father. (7
He gave them the Words the Father had given Him. (8, 14)
The glory the Father gave Him, He gave to them. (22)
He prayed that those the Father gave Him would be with Him in His glory. (24)
Jesus kept them in the Father’s name. (12)
He prays, “Holy Father, keep through your name those whom you have given me.” (11)
In His prayer to the Father, He reveals vividly His role as our Mediator.
In Him, the Father merged the creature who needed redemption with His name, His Words of truth, reconciliation, and His glory.
We will see in further study more of the work of Christ’s atonement between us and the Father.
“I will worship toward Your holy temple,
And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
Psalm 138:2
Gracious Father, thank you for revealing your name and your Word to us through Christ, your living Word. His prayer to you is a blessing for us to know who you are and why you sent your Son. Reveal your glory to us as we read and meditate more on your Word. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Fran
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God's Grace ~ God's Glory! 
Hi Fran, I find that it is the interactions of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in accordance with the expressed will of the Holy Father, that is one of the most compelling, if not the most compelling, testimonies to the reality of God. It simply is mind boggling when you stop to think about it. And what mortal could even conceive of putting something like that into words and yet we literally see it unfold before our very eyes through literally everything that Jesus said and did. And the verse that puts it all together for me is 1 Cor 15:28 which reads “When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.” I may not thoroughly comprehend it all but I cannot deny it because it just is the very glory of God. Thank you Fran. Blessings.
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Thank you, Bruce. As of this morning, I know assuredly, that He has given us a kingdom, His kingdom here on earth, a kingdom to proclaim. This is why Jesus came, to bring us from death to life, reconciling us to the Father. Paul recorded the truth of this kingdom as a life of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Roms. 14:17 In Christ and Christ in us is a manifestation of the reality of His finished work here on earth. The world does not recognize Him in us but cannot overcome this reality in God’s children. Life in Christ is the only way a person can be free in this world. Blessings.
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Curious why you said “as of this morning”?
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More and more in the personal relationship with our Father, He is revealing Himself. His mercies are new every morning. Morning by morning He wakens my ear to hear as those who are taught, that we may speak a word to the weary. Is. 50:4 This morning was a special waking time, filled with His Holy Spirit to proclaim with all I am and the remainder of my days. It is the Father’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom. In the middle of the chaos of an evil world He pours His blessings onto and into His children. We can but proclaim His goodness and His mercy. Blessings as we stay in His Word, praying and rejoicing in who He is, what He has done and is doing in His people. Camping on the riverside, I can look over Jordan and tell others what I see and have as a reality in Christ. Our pastor is preaching through Philippians about humility, unity, and joy. Couple these sermons with Paul’s prayer for the Colossians (1:9-11) and we have truth on earth and prayers rising that cause lightening, thunderings, and earthquakes from His throne in heaven, to wake His people to worship and praise. He is sifting His church and strengthening those who are His. Glad you asked. 🙂
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Thanks Fran, sincerely appreciate you taking the time to explain. Blessings!
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And I should add, I agree, God is indeed sifting His Church and strengthening those who are His. There is a fine tuning going on, where God’s will in everything that is happening is drawing us closer to trusting in Him. I also believe there is an increase in demonic influence in many areas. Nothing to be afraid of but we need to be aware of. God indeed is in control, always has been. It seems that my need to trust in God’s will, in my remaining days on this earth is paramount, in almost every area that I turn to and our fight, His fight, is indeed, not against flesh and blood. I know you are wise and I know you are His, so I sincerely appreciate anything that you share with me. God bless you Fran.
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Live on Colossians 1:9-11 for the rest of the year and see what happens in your life.
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Printing it out now as we speak.
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You will be blessed.
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Blessings to you Fran
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Blessings to you, too, Jim
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=)
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Somehow I missed this post… very precious and confirming. It is a refreshing and encouraging thing to touch the same heart in another not having ever met. The fellowship of His Spirit is a powerful and strengthening wonder!
Be blessed!
BT
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Yes! Thank you for reading and commenting. I find the same refreshing and encouragement from your posts. Blessings in the fellowship of our Father, His Son and His Spirit.
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