“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me” (John 17:6-8, NIV).
We are quick to realize and be grateful for any physical favor we received from God. For example: a good income, a nice house and spacious lot, a brand new car, or a profitable business. We easily consider a blessing when a student would obtain high grades in his studies, or a single individual would find a life partner, or a young couple would have their first baby, or a job seek-er would be employed finally in a work he sought for so long, or a very sick man would be healed miraculously.
However, there are many spiritual blessings from God, we need to treasure and be thankful at all times. Actually, they are greater and better than material blessings. So, let’s focus on them.
In the prayer of Jesus recorded in John 17, we could see many blessings that He gave to His followers. But we will just dwell today on at least two, as we consider verses 6-8.
What are, then, the blessings given by Jesus that the passage painted for us?
The text was part of the prayer of Jesus in the whole of chapter of John 17. It was recorded by the Apostle John. Jesus prayed it in the hearing of His disciples, after they observed the Passover and before they went to the garden across the Kidron Valley, wherein Jesus again prayed, but privately and with such well known line, “…not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
And as Jesus prayed in John 17, Judas was no longer with them for he already went on his way to betray Jesus.
As we go now to our text, what did Jesus say that He gave to His disciples? In verse 6, we read: “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.”
The first great blessings: Blessing of knowing God.
The passage says that Jesus revealed or made known God the Father not to everyone in the world. But to those whom the Father gave to Jesus “out of the world.” Notice further that these people “out of the world” were identified by Jesus as, “They were yours…” or they belonged to God and “they have obeyed your word.” Actually, Jesus referred originally to His eleven disciples, then, who were with Him. Jesus was not speaking of everyone in the world, for not everyone obeyed God’s Word.
Further, those people whom the Father gave to the Jesus were believers, as we read in the last part of verse 8, “…they believed that you sent me.” And not everyone in the world are believers. Again, Jesus did not mean that those whom the Father gave to Him were everyone in the world.
But, for those whom God the Father gave to Jesus, He made Him known to them. In fact, not just in one instance. In verse 26, Jesus said that He will continue to make Him known to them. In fact, that process of knowing God would not stop in our lifetime. It would go on for eternity, as Jesus said in verse 3, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” God’s Word defines eternal life not eternal breathing, but eternal knowing – knowing God. And that’s great blessing.
For if we are among also of those whom God revealed or made Himself known, we will truly believe or trust Him. As we read in Psalm 9:10, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Not only, we could easily entrust our life for Someone we know who is Trustworthy, but our love for Him will blossom and grow, as we learn more of His Goodness and Greatness. And as our love for Him will become deeper, our joy to be in His Presence will become greater. As the Psalmist declared, “…you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Ps. 16:11).
Now, let’s go to the second part of our text, which is John 17:7-8:
“Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.”
What is, then, the second great blessing from Jesus? He said, “…I gave them the words you gave me…”
The second blessing is: “Blessing of having God’s Word.”
As Jesus gave those people whom the Father has given to Him the knowledge about God, He also gave them His Word. And it’s a blessing, for those who have it not only they know but knew with certainty who Jesus is – He is not just a man, from this earth, but He is from God and who spoke the Word of God. So they accepted His message and believed.
Observe also the words of Jesus in verse 13, “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.”
Jesus was now closer to be betrayed, crucified, be put to death and go to His Father. Soon He would leave His disciples, He did not leave them physical things to cheer them up. He left them His words. He also intended that what He would say to them, they would have the full measure of Jesus’ joy. Meaning, if they have His words, they could experience the joy of Jesus.
To have Jesus’ or God’s Word is a great blessing, indeed.
So, if we have also the Word of God in our heart, we would experience not just an ordinary kind of joy. It’s the Joy that God Himself experiences. It’s not based on any physical possession or pleasure, but the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
In the English Standard Version, the Psalmist declared in Psalm 119:162, “I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.” And in verse 24, “Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.”
It may be natural for us to remember and even long for physical blessings. But, Jesus knows and wants to give what is best for us. And He lavishes us with many spiritual blessings. We could enjoy them not only in this age, but even in the age to come. Those are blessings we really need to treasure, to thank and praise God for. This time we highlighted just two of them.
Let's always cherish them in our heart. First, the blessing of knowing God. And second, the blessing of having His Word.
PRAYER: Our Gracious Father, thank You for the wonderful favor you gave us. Favors that could not be taken away from us. Help us to see the great value of them, Help us to be thankful for them at all times. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.
