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I. THE GREAT SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL ILLUMINATION. "I have declared to them Thy name." The name was the Jewish formulary for God; His perfections, glory, grace.

1. That the saving knowledge of God comes to us by direct communication from Christ. Not by wisdom, virtue, strength of our own; "for the world by wisdom knew not God," but from the discovery which Christ makes by His word and Spirit: "I have declared." See it in the woman of Samaria — in His patience with the disciples. It is Christ's prerogative to convey the saving knowledge of God to the mind; it is our privilege to seek that knowledge from Him.

2. That we need spiritual illumination from above, not only at our first conversion, but through the whole progress of our spiritual life. "I have declared — and will declare it." Paul prays for the Ephesians that God would give them the spirit of wisdom in the knowledge of Him — and yet they knew Him already. Paul, who was taught not of men, but of Christ Himself, and was even caught up to the third heaven, puts himself among the number of them who know only in part; and this will be true of the most learned and holy men to the last hour of life.

3. It becomes us to acknowledge our ignorance, and to implore Divine teaching. This is a promise to be pleaded in prayer. We are like babes, unskilful in the word of righteousness. The best persons and the best churches still need more light. It is not enough that Christ has declared to them, but He must still declare — not indeed new truths, new essentials of salvation, but He conveys new impressions of truth to the mind; new aptitudes to receive, to appropriate, to exemplify and apply truth.

II. THE GREAT LOVE WHICH GOD BEARS TO HIS CHILDREN It is here compared to the love which God bears to Christ. This love is said to be in them, just as Christ is said to be in them. By God's love to Christ, learn His love to you.

1. This love is ancient in its date. "Thou hast loved Me from the foundation of the world" (Proverbs 8:22, 31).

2. Unlimited in its degree. As you can place no limit to God's love to the Mediator, so you can place no limit to His love to the people He has redeemed. Many would discourage the hopes of God's children. Satan himself would rob them of consolation. False systems of religion do this.

3. Enlightened in its exercise. God's love to Christ was enlightened, and His conduct towards Him was regulated with a view to the office He was to sustain, and He allowed Him to pass through scenes of pain, poverty, temptation. So He does us: much tribulation.

4. Constant in its duration. It is an everlasting love.

(The Evangelist.).

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KJV: And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

WEB: I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them."