Christ Given to His People


The seventeenth chapter of the gospel of John is saturated with giving. The Father has given the Son "power over all flesh." That ability and authority is His to "give eternal life." Eternal life is made sure because Christ "finished the work that Thou gavest Me to do." Then Christ says, "I have given them Thy word." It is a word of giving, the Word of the grace of God. All things given by God in Christ. Then He says, "And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them." "Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou has given Me: for Thou lovest Me before the foundation of the world."

But in verse six is the highlight of God's amazing grace. "I have manifested Thy name unto the men which thou gavest Me out of the world: Thine they were, and THOU GAVEST THEM ME: and they have kept Thy word." God has given to His Son a people out of every nation, kindred, tribe and tongue. But He has also given Christ TO that people. This is the thought in the Song of Solomon where we read, "I am my beloved's AND HE IS MINE." Can this be? Christ, the well-beloved Son in whom are all things given to one such as me? The gift of gifts to the undeserving, ill deserving? That is grace! Christ given to us by being given FOR us! Given as a Representative, a Substitute, a Redeemer. Christ was given to establish all righteousness for us.
He is the Lord our Righteousness. He was given to remove our guilt and debt by the sacrifice of His body and blood. He is our justification. All for whom He lives, dies and intercedes must go free because they have Him. Having Christ, they possess all that God requires and desires. As believers we cannot fathom the riches of God's infinite grace; but we can rejoice in Christ.
Why would God give His Son to them? The reason of it is to be found only in Himself; but the declaration and truth of it is to be found in His Word! He did! Christ being life...He gave them life; being hope...He gave them hope; being peace...He gave them peace; being joy...He gave them joy. But this is the glory of it, Christ being "ALL," He gave us all! All spiritual blessings are in Him. This is the Gift of gifts. "THINE THEY WERE, AND THOU GAVEST THEM ME."

-Gospel report by preacher Gary Shepard

Sovereign Grace Baptist church of Jacksonville, North Carolina USA

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