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Commentaries
English
John
  
3. Jesus intercedes for his apostles
(John 17:6-19)
6"I have manifested your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world; they were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word."


After Jesus was convinced that his Father would strengthen him to accomplish redemption, and knew that his Father’s glory would increase through the birth of many children possessing eternal life, his thoughts moved towards his disciples, whom he had chosen out of the world and united them in divine accord.
Christ announced God’s new name, Father. By this statement they became his children, chosen out of the world. This mode of existence is the mystery of the Church. Those born of God do not belong to themselves, but are His who gave them that new birth, and he bestowed them on His Son, bought by his blood. If you believe in Christ, you will be his possession.
This divine fatherhood and the believers’ becoming His children was fulfilled in the disciples by their faith in the Gospel, and their keeping of his precious words. These words are no empty clanging or vanishing smoke, as are most black letters printed in the world’s presses. They are God’s words and letters overflowing with creative energy. He who keeps the Father’s words in his heart, lives in His might.