Today’s Reading: John 17; Psalm 48
After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.” – John 17:1-3
WE CAN FIND THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE BY GETTING TO KNOW GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
Jesus had accomplished part of the mission for which he came to earth — he had revealed God to his disciples. He passed on the message God gave him, and they believed it. Jesus said in his prayer that the disciples had “kept” the word they had been given (v.6). All that they had learned from Jesus they would remember so that they could spread the gospel message to the rest of the world. Even today, we are able to get to know God and find eternal life because of the message of salvation that the disciples took the time to write down.
In this chapter, we get a glimpse into this Father-Son relationship as Jesus reports to God and then prays for his followers whom he will soon be leaving. Jesus had brought glory to God on earth, and he was ready for the Father to bring him back to the heavenly glory they had shared before the world began (v.4-5). And it would soon be time for Jesus’ disciples to bring him glory through their obedience to the call on their life.
WE CAN BRING JESUS GLORY BY LIVING OUT THE TRUTH HE TAUGHT US.
“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.” – John 17:9-11
Jesus prayed for the Father to protect his disciples. He knew the same hate he had been receiving would be unleashed on his followers once he was gone. They would not be spared from the persecution of this world that they no longer belonged to, so Jesus asked God to keep them safe in the midst of the chaos ahead.
“I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do.” – John 17:14-16
In the same way as the disciples, we do not belong to this world any more than Jesus did. When we surrender our lives to God, we no longer live to gratify our sinful nature. We have heard the words of Jesus and the truth of God’s word has changed us forever. His Spirit now lives within us, producing the righteousness of God in our lives. Do you believe that? Do you believe that the Spirit can produce holiness in you?
WE CAN BE MADE HOLY BECAUSE JESUS SET US FREE FROM THE BONDAGE OF SIN AND DEATH.
“Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.” – John 17:17-20
Jesus prayed for us! He knew that he was about to become the holy sacrifice needed to pay the penalty for our sins, and yet he took the time to advocate for us before the Father because he loves us. His desire was that we would be united in this love, each of us bonded together in such a way that the world sees the love of God through us.
WE CAN SHOW THE WORLD GOD’S LOVE BY LIVING IN UNITY WITH ONE ANOTHER.
“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” – John 17:22-23
Jesus revealed the Father to his disciples and then commissioned them to share the gospel message with others. The disciples, filled with the gift of the Holy Spirit, kept the words Jesus had given them and passed them on so that generations to come could hear the message of salvation. And don’t miss this — Jesus prayed that the truth of this message would make his followers holy. He was willing to die for our salvation and willing to send the Spirit for our sanctification — so that we can be made holy!
“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.” – John 17:25-26
Lord, thank you for this beautiful plan of salvation! Thank you for working out a way for all of us to hear your truth and be forever changed by the power of your name. May the righteousness of God be evident for all to see as your Spirit dwells within us, and may we be united in the love of God that flows through us. God, we ask for your protection from the evil one who daily seeks to distract us with his lies and to divide us in order to weaken this message of salvation. Unite us together for the sake of those who still need to hear the truth and be forever changed by the story of Jesus. Amen.