Jesus’ prayer shows the nature of a true intimate relationship. It involves revealing, giving and receiving. The Father chose to reveal Himself to people through Jesus, giving whatever was necessary to bless them. The Father gave the disciples to Jesus, so that they could see the Father (John 14:7). Jesus gave them the words the Father had given Him: the disciples received those words and obeyed them.
If the disciples had not accepted what Jesus revealed, they could not have known Him or the Father. If they had not obeyed Jesus’ command to follow Him, they would not have known Him. If they had rejected His words, they would never have come to believe who He is. God gave and the disciples received. God spoke and the disciples obeyed. God revealed Himself and the disciples believed in Jesus.
Although some think that spiritual wisdom can come from distilling the wisdom in the world; that cannot be true. We can only know the God who made the world because He has revealed Himself in Jesus. However when we share His words with our friends and colleagues we are doing more than just transmitting information. We are enabling people to see the God who reveals Himself. But sharing the message is only part of the story. Judas Iscariot heard, but He would not accept it: he became the model of all whose eternity is in hell. When we hear, we need to accept and obey; not to gain ‘merit points’ with God, but because that is the only way to grow in relationship with the Lord.
