The Pursuit of Knowledge
“After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: Father, the hour 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 know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing 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, NIV
In John 17, we see one of the most important prayers in all the New Testament. A window into the heart of a Son devoted to His Father, it was a sign that Jesus’ mission was coming to an end. After three years of discipleship, these 12 ordinary men had finally confessed their belief. It was a bittersweet moment for Jesus. The time had come and he knew it. Out of His own delight, there was only one response. “He looked toward heaven and prayed.” (John 17:1, NIV)
Often, I wonder what it must have been like to witness Jesus’ reaction to this profession of faith. No doubt, He was overcome with emotion and all He wanted to do was share this news with His Father. You see, the first step of glorification had been achieved and now the real drama of the Cross was about to unfold, but none of that could have happened had the disciples not reached this moment of belief. True knowledge of who Jesus was had been achieved and eternal life had been given. Little did they know that the real test of their faith was about to occur.
Knowing God was an important step of Jesus’ mission to the disciples. As God’s greatest revelation, Jesus Himself demonstrated an obedience unmatched in history. The ultimate protagonist, His story would have eternal ramifications. He gave up everything to accomplish His goal of offering this gift.
As disciples of Christ, our goal of knowing God is no different. Just as those earlier believers pursued knowledge and understanding, we too are on the same path. This pursuit is ongoing and requires intentionality. As a new program year in the Church begins, there are many opportunities for us to not just know God, but to know Him better. Through worship, education and service, we have a chance to grow deeper in our knowledge and understanding of God. The disciples themselves are our example. They were students of the Word. Through their obedience, acceptance and belief in Jesus, they received the gift of eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16, NIV
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