4th May 2008 (7th of Easter)
John 17:1-11
John 17 is often referred to as the 'high priestly prayer' of Jesus, as he prays on behalf of his people - both his immediate disciples, and those who would come after them, such as ourselves. He is praying just before his death, the 'time' he had been anticipating, when he would be glorified. It seems strange to us that he talks about it as something glorious, for crucifixion was the most shameful as well as the most painful death imaginable. We would understand it if he talked in those terms about his coming resurrection, and he seems to be looking forward to his resurrection and ascension when he would return to his Father; but the whole point of his coming to earth in the first place was to die for us, so that we too might live.
The glory of Jesus and the glory of God is his love, more than his majesty and power. His love for us brought him to earth, and out of love for us he completed the work God had given him by dying for us. It is through his death that we are cleansed from all our impurities (Ezekiel 36:25 - see 1 John 1:7). It is through his death that our hard hearts have been taken away (Ezekiel 36:26). It is through his death that we are reconciled to God, and can now live in his presence. It is through his death that the way has been opened for God to live in us by his Spirit, and for us to truly know God. All this has happened through his death, which was for us: he is the king of kings, with authority over every living person, and as such he could represent us in his death.
His death, however, would be meaningless without his resurrection, which was also on our behalf. Just as his death reconciled us to God, so his resurrection gives us new life in relationship with God. Eternal life is not mostly about life without end; that would be intolerable if the quality of life was low. Eternal life is about life in the new creation, which will be in a deep and intimate relationship with God, whom we will truly 'know'. The word for 'know' is not just about academic knowledge. It is the same word that could be used in an expression like, 'Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived...'. Such knowledge speaks of intimacy, of depth of understanding, and of a relationship that is appreciative and responsive (that is why Jesus speaks about obedience so much).
Jesus the king, who has ascended into heaven, gives this eternal life to all those God gives him (John 17:2). Elsewhere in John's gospel Jesus says, 'All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never driven away' (John 6:37). In other words, we do have a choice whether or not we come to Jesus - and if we come, he promises us eternal life. We must not read this as if God takes away our freedom to choose. But the choice is whether or not we come to him as King. It is possible to approach Jesus as helper, and to receive help, without really belonging to him. But if we have come to him and accepted him as our King, above all else that might rule us, then we are citizens of his kingdom, cleansed, reconciled to God, living in the full sunlight of his love. This offer is open to all, however good or bad we are!
How can we live up to this? By the power of the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, whose coming we think about next week!
Questions:
1) In your spiritual journey, have you reached a point where you are sure you belong to Jesus? How would you describe your journey so far?
2) At the end of the gospel reading, Jesus prays for unity among the disciples. What do you think the unity he is praying for would look like in our area?