How does John 17:25 connect with John 1:10 about the world's knowledge of God? Laying the Verses Side by Side • John 1:10 — “He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.” • John 17:25 — “Righteous Father, although the world has not known You, I know You, and they know that You sent Me.” Shared Theme: A Created World That Misses Its Creator • Both verses state that the world, despite being fashioned by God, fails to know or recognize Him. • John 1:10 anchors this ignorance in creation: the Maker is present, yet unseen. • John 17:25 echoes the same blindness at the close of Jesus’ earthly ministry: even after miracles and teaching, “the world has not known You.” Progression From Ignorance to Revelation 1. Creation’s ignorance (John 1:10). ‑ Humanity’s spiritual eyes are closed from the outset (cf. Romans 1:21). 2. Incarnation’s offer (John 1:14). ‑ “The Word became flesh.” God steps into history to be known. 3. Intercession’s confirmation (John 17:25–26). ‑ Jesus prays, affirming that while the world remains blind, His disciples now “know that You sent Me.” ‑ He promises ongoing revelation: “I have made Your name known… and will continue to make it known.” Why the World Fails to Know • Spiritual blindness: “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 4:4). • Rebellion of the heart: “Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness” (John 3:19). • Lack of relationship: Knowing God is relational, not merely intellectual (Jeremiah 9:23-24). How the Believer Comes to Know • Divine initiative: “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (John 6:44). • Revelation through the Son: “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). • Ongoing teaching of the Spirit: “He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Practical Takeaways • Confidence in Christ’s unique role: Only Jesus bridges the gap between the unknowable God and a blind world. • Assurance of personal knowledge: Believers can rest in the fact that they truly “know” God because they know the One He sent. • Mission to the world: The same world that “did not recognize Him” still needs the witness of those who do (Matthew 28:19-20). |
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