Let's continue to examine Christ's intercessory and priestly prayer, in John chapter 17, looking for the areas of mission that Christ completed. Note the phrase, "I have."
| 1. | Christ glorified the father and finished the work given by the Father. John 17:1-4 |
| 2. | Christ manifested (declared) the name of the Father unto His disciples. John 17:6,26 |
| 3. | Christ gave the disciples the words and the word of the Father. John 17:8,14 |
| 4. | Christ kept the disciples (gathered, taught and protected them). John 17:12 |
| 5. | Christ sent His disciples into the world. John 17:18 |
| 6. | Christ gave the disciples glory (i.e. a unifying purpose and power which comes from the Father and glorifies the Father). John17:1,5,22 |
| 7. | Christ knew the Father (i.e. was intimate with the Father and confessed Him to others). John 17:25-26 |
We now look to the seventh point: Christ Knew the Father (i.e. was intimate with the Father and confessed Him to others). John 17:25-26.
Our second point dealt with how Jesus revealed the Father to the Disciples. The unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit laid the foundation for understanding the concept of the Trinity. Point number 6 expressed the unity of the Father and the Son as glorious. This intimacy and glory has been given to Christ's disciples. The present glory that we have, knowing the Lord and suffering for His sake, is understood by faith. Future glory is promised, in which we will see Him face to face and be like Him, without the imperfections that we experience in this life and in this body.
The idea of "knowing," in John 17:25 & I John 3:1, means to love and identify with someone. We now continue the theme of intimacy, showing how this intimacy caused Christ to identify with the Father before the unbelieving the world. This open identification with the Father caused others to also love and identify with the Father.
As Christ publicly identified with the Father, the world hated Him (John 17:25a cp. John 5:16-23; 8:54-59; 10:27-36).
As Christ publicly identified with the Father, Christ's followers entered into a love relationship with the Father also (John 17:25b - 26 cp. vs. John 17:2-3, 21-24; I John 3:1; 4:7-21; 5:19-21).
As we publicly identify with the Father, the world will also hate us (John 17:14 cp. 15:18-21; I John 3:1,11-15; I Peter 4:1-5,12-14). Consider also Matthew 10:24-39; Luke 9:22-26; II Timothy 2:8-13.
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