READ: Jn. 17:24–26: … that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.
Jesus first prayed for Himself, that He might be glorified in finishing His task (vv.1–5). Then He prayed for the preservation of His disciples in the hostile world (vv.6–19).
Finally, He prayed for the Church holding to the Gospel truth, that they may have perfect unity, a unity of faith working through love, as a testimony to the world (v.23).
In v.24 Jesus expresses His love for His Church. He prays that believers may also be brought to where He is, to behold His glory. Already we may witness His glory through the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18; 4:6), but one day we may experience this far more clearly and permanently in eternal glory (1 Cor. 13:12; 1 Jn. 3:2; Rev. 21:23; 22:4).
Then Christ will possess the glory He had before the foundation of the world (v.24). His divine attributes will shine through His glorified human nature. In the new creation, the Lamb will be the lamp who radiates God’s glory. This divine splendor will surround His redeemed Church forever. Perfect peace, love, and righteousness will fill and surround them.
This indescribable glory flows from the love God had for His Son before the foundation of the world (v.24; cf. Prov. 8:22; Jn. 1:1–4; Eph. 1:4)! That love is the basis of God’s election of His people in Christ, to be adopted as His children (Eph. 1:5). Now that these children acknowledge God and Christ, they share in that very love. What riches!
Do we experience these riches? What is our response?
Sing: Ps. 89:7,8