Jun 07, 2005 17:29
"After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.""
John 17:1-5
This was just a wonderful passage to read. We exalt Thee, oh Lord!
First of all, we read that Jesus prayed. He acknowledged the power of God and prayed to him.
And then we find that even Jesus' purpose was to glorify God.
Another purpose: To give eternal life to ALL those God has given to Christ.
So what is eternal life then? Eternal life is that we, humans, may know the only true God, and Jesus Christ, who God sent.
Jesus didn't just claim His purpose was to glorify God. He did it! And how? Well, the specifics we all know. We know what Jesus did here. But the way He says it is so simple. We could do it. He did THE WORK GOD GAVE HIM TO DO. Why couldn't we do that? Why would we NOT do that? Let that sink in.
To finish off this passage, Jesus asks for one thing: To be restored to God's presence, where He was before this world began. Simple, yet so beautiful.