The Word

For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me (John 17:8)

Jesus does not speak on His own authority, nor does He utter words of His own. This is how Jesus as the Messiah does His work of manifesting the name of God His Father. In a similar way, we too are to serve God on the written (declarative) authority of the Word (the Scriptures).

For I have given them the words…

1. These are words (sayings) God gave Jesus (John 17:14)
   1. The words are of God
   2. They are thus life-giving (Genesis 1)
2. Jesus has given these words to the people God gave Him (Jesus) as His
3. Once the words were given to the people, they remain being given
4. How would they respond to the words given?

And they received them…

1. Most appropriately, they received the words well
   1. They took the words for what they were
   2. They embraced the full meaning of the words
2. As a consequence, they have come to know that Jesus had come from God
3. What can be said more of this truth that Jesus came from God?
   1. Jesus was sent by God
   2. Jesus was the representative of God
   3. Jesus was indeed the Messiah of God
4. Truth is indeed given in and through the words Jesus uttered (John 17:17)

And they have believed that you sent me

1. They do not merely know that which is true; they take up what it means to know the truth
2. They now come to believe that God sent Jesus
   1. As the Messiah prophesied
   2. As the Savior
3. Belief (in God and also in Jesus) is
   1. A direct result of receiving the words
   2. A required response of knowing the truth
   3. How one may have eternal life in Jesus’ name (John 20:31)

The Lord Jesus has given us the words God gave Him. They are the basis for our knowledge of truth, faith and life.  Our mandate then is to relay the same word to others, that they too may come to believe in Jesus (John 17:20).