The Eternal Glory of Christ: A Reflection on John 17

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to lose sight of the profound truths that anchor our faith. Today, let's take a moment to pause and reflect on one of the most powerful passages in Scripture: John 17, often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus.
This chapter offers us a glimpse into the heart of Christ just hours before His crucifixion. It's a moment of intimate communion between God the Son and God the Father, revealing the depth of their relationship and the magnitude of God's love for humanity.
The prayer begins with Jesus lifting His eyes to heaven, addressing God as "Father." This simple yet profound gesture speaks volumes about the nature of their relationship. It's a reminder that through Christ, we too have been given the incredible privilege of approaching God as our Father.
Jesus declares, "Father, the hour has come." These words resonate with divine purpose and timing. Throughout His ministry, Jesus often said His time had not yet come. But now, in this pivotal moment, He acknowledges that the culmination of His earthly mission is at hand. It's a sobering reminder that God's plans unfold in His perfect timing, not ours.
The central theme of this prayer is glory. Jesus prays, "Glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you." This mutual glorification between Father and Son reveals the unity and love within the Godhead. It's a love that has existed "before the world was," as Jesus later states, reminding us of His eternal nature and pre-existence.
But what does this glory mean for us? Jesus provides the answer: "This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." Here we find the essence of salvation – not just an extended existence, but a deep, personal knowledge of God through Christ.
This knowledge isn't merely intellectual. It's experiential, transformative, and life-giving. It's the kind of knowledge that changes everything about who we are and how we live. And it's available to all who believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God.
As we reflect on this, we're reminded of Jesus' words in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." In a world that often promotes many paths to God, Jesus' claim stands firm – He is the only way to the Father.
This exclusivity might seem narrow-minded to some, but it's actually a testament to God's incredible love and grace. The Creator of the universe made a way for sinful humanity to be reconciled to Him, not through our own efforts, but through the sacrificial work of His Son.
The prayer goes on to reveal Jesus' heart for His disciples – both those present with Him and all who would believe through their message. That includes us today. Jesus prays for our unity, our protection from the evil one, and our sanctification in the truth of God's Word.
Perhaps one of the most astounding statements comes near the end of the prayer. Jesus says, "Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory." Think about that for a moment. The Son of God, who has existed in perfect fellowship with the Father for all eternity, desires for us to be with Him and see His glory.
This brings to mind the thief on the cross, mentioned in Luke's gospel. Here was a man at the end of his life, justly condemned for his crimes, with nothing to offer. Yet in his final moments, he recognized Jesus for who He truly was and pleaded, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And Jesus, in His infinite mercy, assured him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise."
This account beautifully illustrates the heart of the gospel – salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. The thief couldn't do anything to earn his salvation. He simply believed, and that was enough.
As we ponder these truths, we're faced with a crucial question: Are we in Christ, and is Christ in us? This isn't a question anyone else can answer for us. It's deeply personal, between each individual and God.
For those who can answer with a resounding "yes," there's an invitation to continually preach the gospel to ourselves. We need to be regularly reminded of the incredible love God has shown us in Christ. As the apostle Paul writes in Romans 5:8, "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
For those who are unsure or who haven't yet put their faith in Christ, there's an urgent call to seek answers. This is truly the most important question of our lives, with eternal consequences.
As we close this reflection, let's remember the words from the book of Jude: "Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."
May these truths sink deep into our hearts, transforming how we live and love in light of God's eternal glory revealed in Christ.