May 12
“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent,” John 17:3.
On the first Maundy Thursday evening, after Jesus had celebrated the Passover with His disciples and had instituted the Lord’s Supper, He gave His disciples His words of farewell. Then He looked up to heaven and prayed aloud the words that are recorded in the Gospel of John, chapter seventeen. The prayer in John 17 has been called His high priestly prayer. He prayed for Himself, for His disciples, and for all Christians unto the end of time.
The hour had come for the climax of His life’s work. The crucifixion would take place in less than a day. His resurrection would take place early on Sunday morning. The glory of God in accomplishing the salvation for all people would soon be seen! The glory of God is seen and heard in the message of forgiveness gained through the suffering and death of Jesus on Calvary’s cross. From the cross comes the message of God’s love for all sinners.
There is eternal life for all who trust God’s love revealed in Christ Jesus. There should be no doubting it! “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved,” John 3:16-17.
The message of salvation by faith in Christ Jesus comes from the only true God. The gods of this world and the gods dreamed up in the minds of people all speak of an afterlife which people must earn by doing some good works.
In His prayer, Jesus is speaking of the only true God and of the only way to have eternal life! Scripture clearly states, “There is no other God but one,” 1 Corinthians 8:4. The one true God sent His Son to be our Savior.
In His prayer, Jesus speaks of the glory of God. The glory of God is seen in the creation; the psalmist wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork,” Psalm 19:1. There is nothing glorious in man’s theories of evolution. The glory of God is seen in our redemption; it is seen in God’s love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness. The glory of God is seen in calling us by the Gospel into God’s family; we could not save ourselves, but the Holy Spirit calls us to believe in Jesus as God’s Son and our Savior. For all these revelations of God’s glory, we thank Him on bended knee!
“Glory be to God the Father,
Glory be to God the Son,
Glory be to God the Spirit:
Great Jehovah, Three in One!
Glory, glory while eternal ages run!
Glory be to Him who loved us,
Washed us from each spot and stain;
Glory be to Him who bought us,
Made us kings with Him to reign!
Glory, glory to the Lamb that once was slain!
Glory to the King of angels,
Glory to the Church’s King,
Glory to the King of nations;
Heav’n and earth, your praises bring!
Glory, glory to the King of Glory sing!” Amen.