06 The Name Manifested

The Name Manifested That God intends to manifest himself, and to make known his nature, perfections, and purposes, to his intelligent creatures, in all his works of creation, providence, and grace — is clear to the spiritual mind. But as this was his general object in all his work — so it was his special object in the person, work, life, and death of his beloved Son. Hence we read, "No man has seen God at any time; the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has revealed him." So also Jesus pleaded with his Father, "I have manifested your name unto the men whom you gave me out of the world: yours they were, and you gave them me; and they have kept your Word," (John 17:6). Notice — The Savior’s Employment: Manifesting God’s name. What did he manifest? The Father’s name — or his nature. He gave the true idea of his mercy and justice, his grace and holiness; and so correct was the representation, that he could say, "He who has seen me — has seen the Father." His name includes his will, especially in reference to salvation. Jesus showed plainly . . .
WHOM he will save — sinners — all who sincerely believe in him;
WHY he will save — of his own good pleasure, or because it pleases him — that is, of pure grace, of mere mercy;
HOW he will save — by a ransom paid, by faith exercised, or gratuitously.

How did Jesus manifest his Father’s name? By what he WAS — for his person and conduct formed a union to reflect the glory of his Father’s nature and perfections. Also by what he DID — for he wrought the Father’s works, in order to make the Father known. Or, outwardly — by his teaching, in which he explained and enforced the law, and proclaimed and illustrated the gospel. Inwardly — by his gracious illumination, as he said to his disciples, "Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven."

He more especially set God before them as a Father, as their Father; encouraging them to approach him as such, to trust in him as such, and in all things to act toward him as such.

Blessed Jesus, may I ever look upon you as the revealer of the Father; and by faith in your person, work, and teaching — may I receive into my mind correct views of the Father’s nature, character, and will! The Privileged Parties. "The men whom you gave me out of the world." Not merely the apostles — but all who believe in his name. He speaks here not of the privilege of an apostle — but of the common privilege of all who receive, believe, and obey his Word.

All who were given him. The Lord’s people were given by the Father to the Son. Mark their original proprietor, "Yours they were." They were . . .
the Father’s creatures — as made by him;
his criminals — as having sinned against him;
his chosen ones — as elected to everlasting life.

Observe the special gift: "You gave them to me", "The men whom you gave me out of the world." From whence were they taken? Out of the world. They were in it — they were of it — they were like it; but by an act of special grace — the Father took them from it, and gave them to his Son! By whom were they taken? By the Father, as Jesus had said before, "All whom the Father gives me, shall come to me." And again, "No man can come unto me, unless the Father, who has sent me, draws him."

Why were they taken out of the world?
To glorify the rich grace of God,
to gratify the tender mercy of God, and
to satisfy the sovereign love of God.

He gives no other account of this matter — but simply says, "I will have mercy — because I will have mercy," and "I will be merciful to whom I will be merciful." We must, therefore, say with Jesus, "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in your sight." For what purpose were they taken out of the world? That they may be Christ’s — his charge, his property, his people, his seed, his jewels, his crown, his bride! With what design were they given to Jesus?
That he might release them from their guilt — by his death;
that he might restore them to the divine image — by his Spirit;
and that he might guide them to his throne — by his Word and his grace; to his throne of grace first, and to his throne of glory afterwards. The Commendation: "They have kept your Word." Jesus echoed the Father’s word. What he had heard with his Father — he declared to them; so that those who heard Jesus — heard the very words of the Father. The privileged ones had heard the Word from his lips.

They understood the Word that he spoke;
they believed and received it into their hearts;
they preserved it in their memories;
they obeyed it in their lives. In them, was proved the truth of the Redeemer’s words: "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will know whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own." They knew the Word of Christ to be indeed and in truth the very Word of God; and as such they believed, received, and acted upon it. It was impressed on their hearts; for, as in the case of the Thessalonians, it came "not in word only — but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance."

It was expressed in their lives; for they were those spoken of by Jesus: "Blessed are those who hear the Word of God, and keep it." It was retained in their lives; for, like the church in Philadelphia, they had a little strength; they had kept his Word, and had not denied his name. It is not enough to hear the Word or read it — we must receive it and nourish it, as the good ground did the seed sown in it. Nor is it enough to receive it — we must retain it, be influenced by it, and let it dwell in us richly, ruling the heart, the mind, and the conduct. Only thus can we prove ourselves to be the Lord’s, as it is written, "If you continue in my Word — then are you my disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Again: "He who has my commandments, and keeps them — he it is that loves me; and he who loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."

God’s purpose shall stand. His name shall be manifested. His people shall know his name. His Son shall save all those whom he has given him. Thus . . .
his grace shall be displayed,
his love shall be gratified, and
his sovereignty shall be glorified.

Christ’s work shall be rewarded. Not only shall God be made known — but Jesus shall be honored by all who know it. All who know the Father, come to the knowledge of him through the Son; and all who come to the knowledge of the Father through the Son, glorify the Son equally with the Father.

God’s saints shall be commended. God loves to praise whatever is good in his people, and to commend whatever good is done by his people. He often gives them the testimony of his approbation in the conscience now, and he will publicly commend all the little good deeds they have done by-and-by. The cup of cold water given, the visit of sympathy paid, or the loving word spoken to any of his little ones, for his sake — will be publicly acknowledged, commended, and rewarded at last.

Blessed be God the Father for the manifestation of his name — for the manifestation of his name by his Son — for the manifestation of his name to the understanding and the heart.

Blessed be the Son of God, for coming to make manifest the Father’s name; for manifesting the Father’s name to all those who were given him out of the world; and for carrying on the work of manifestation still, both on earth and in Heaven!

Blessed be the Holy Spirit, for the record given us by his inspiration — of what Jesus was, what Jesus did, and what Jesus taught — in order to manifest the Father’s name! O for clearer, fuller, and more powerful manifestations of God to our hearts and consciences from day to day! And now, gracious Savior, as you manifested your Father’s name to your disciples — manifest it unto me. Give me a deep and experimental knowledge of God, as your Father and my Father, and as your God and my God. Unfold to me his glorious perfections; give me a clear and correct knowledge of his divine attributes; and let me know him as my gracious covenant God and Father. O to know him and his glorious name! so to know him as . . .
to glow with love to him,
to walk in fellowship with him, and
be prepared to dwell with him in his own happy home! My soul, seek the full, clear, and heart-affecting knowledge of Jehovah’s name!