John 17:6-8 I have manifested your name to the men which you gave me out of the world: your they were, and you gave them me… Christ here states two facts concerning the school He had established for the diffusion of His doctrines and Spirit — one infinitely superior to those established by any philosopher of ancient or modern times. I. THEY ARE GIVEN TO HIM BY THE FATHER. What does this mean? 1. Negatively — (1) Not that a certain number were given Him in "the councils of Eternity," on the ground that He would become their substitute, and the rest passed by. This covenant is not found in the Bible, and seems derogatory to the Father, who is Love. (2) Not that men are so given to Christ as to interfere with their freedom as responsible beings. This would reduce men to mere animated machines. (3) Not that men are so given to Christ as to lessen God's claim upon them; nor — (4) So as to render their salvation absolutely certain. If that were the case why does Christ pray for them? And why was Judas, who also was given Him, lost? 2. Positively. This means that Christ, as the Model of Piety, ascribes everything He has to His Father. The power of Pilate to condemn He regarded as the gift of God. The cup of suffering in Gethsemane was also the Father's gift. So with all things — "All power is given unto Me." So pastors are God's gift to a Church, &c. II. THEY ARE BELIEVERS IN THE FATHER THROUGH HIM. They believed the Father so as — 1. To obey His will. "They have kept Thy word." 2. To accept Christ as His Messenger. They were led to regard Christ as — (1) The Administrator of the Father's blessings. (2) The Revealer of the Father's character. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. |
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