John 17:24-26 — Jesus' Desire for Us — Aneel Aranha

Hello and welcome to the Bite-Sized Gospel. Today, we will reflect on John 17:24-26. Listen.

[Jesus said:]   “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

In these final verses of his prayer, Jesus expresses his deep desire for his followers. It's a desire that reaches beyond this earthly life and into eternity.

Firstly, Jesus wants his followers to be with him where he is. This is not just a desire for companionship, but a desire for us to share in his eternal presence and glory. Jesus is looking forward to the day when we will be with him in heaven, free from the struggles and separations of this world.

Secondly, Jesus wants us to see his glory. This is the glory that the Father has given him, the glory of divine love that existed before the world began. It's a glory that Jesus has had to veil during his earthly ministry, but one that will be fully revealed in eternity. Jesus wants us to be witnesses and participants in this glory.

Jesus then acknowledges the Father's righteousness and the world's lack of understanding. The world does not know God, but Jesus does, and he has made God known to his followers. This has been the core of Jesus' mission - to reveal the Father to humanity.

And he's not done. Jesus says that he will continue to make the Father known. Even after his resurrection and ascension, Jesus will continue his revelatory work through the Holy Spirit and through his church.

But there's a purpose to this revelation that goes beyond mere knowledge. Jesus makes the Father known "in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." The ultimate goal is for us to experience the same love that the Father has for the Son, and for Christ himself to dwell in us.

This is the profound mystery of the Christian life - that we can share in the divine love of the Trinity, and that Christ can live in us. It's not just a matter of following his teachings or imitating his actions, but of being indwelt by his very presence.

As we reflect on these verses, we are encouraged to lift our eyes beyond the horizon of this world. Our ultimate hope is not in the things of this life, but in the eternal glory that Christ wants to share with us.

We are also challenged to continue Jesus' work of making the Father known. This is not just the task of preachers or missionaries, but the calling of every believer. In our words, our actions, and our lives, we are to reveal the love and truth of God to the world.

Finally, we are invited to experience the indwelling presence of Christ. This is not something we can achieve by our own efforts, but a gift that comes through faith and surrender. As we open ourselves to Christ, he comes to live in us, filling us with his love and transforming us into his likeness.

So let us ask ourselves: Do I long to be with Christ and to see his glory? Am I committed to making the Father known in my sphere of influence? Am I experiencing the indwelling presence of Christ in my daily life?

May we embrace the desires that Christ expresses for us, and may we live in the light of his eternal love.

God bless you.