If you hear the name Dan or the name Darla, they may not mean anything to you unless you know a particular person by those names. Though names identify an individual, the name itself may not tell us anything about them except perhaps in some cases a clue to ethnicity.
When Jesus was praying prior to leaving the upper room with his disciples to go to the garden where he would ultimately be arrested, in that prayer He prayed for Himself, His disciples, and for those who would eventually believe. (John 17) As Jesus began praying specifically for the eleven who were still there with Him, He prayed. . .
“(6) I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.” (John 17:6 ESV)
In the manifesting of the name of God (making known) was not the mere giving of a name and speaking that name, but a revealing of the Being Himself! Just as is reflected throughout the Old Testament among all the Hebrew names or references to God, each revealed something about His character or nature. Just to note a few examples, such is reflected in “Elohim” as the Creator, “Adonai” as Master or Ruler, “Eloah” as strength, “El-Shaddai” as God Almighty, “Elyon” as Exalted, “Sabaoth” as Lord of Hosts, etc. As we don’t trust someone merely because someone told us their name but because we know them, so it is in our relationship with God. His name is not just some magic word we utter in order to get something we wish, but our focus rests on the Divine Being in whom our uttermost trust can be placed because of all He was, is, and ever will be!
As Jesus came as “Immanuel”, meaning “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), and was noted by John as the Word Who was God become flesh (John 1:1-2 & 14), all Jesus both did and said was a manifestation or revealing of the Father! All was in unity with the Father. (i.e. John 5:30; 7:16; 8:28) This is why Jesus could say to Philip. . .
“(9) Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (10) Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. (11) Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.” (John 14:9-11 ESV)
As we look at Jesus — all that He did and taught and all the prophecy He fulfilled as He walked the face of the earth — we have the manifestation of God! We have the manifestation of His authority, holiness, omniscience, power, sovereignty, wisdom, etc., as well as His gracious love and mercy, and provision of steadfast hope for not just this life but for eternity! And because we know not merely the Name but the character of His Being, it is in Him we can confidently place our trust! May we continue growing in abiding faith in our Heavenly Father!
Have a great day MANIFESTING A FAITH IN THE ONE MADE MANIFEST!
Carl
