December 16, 2020 -- John 17:24 -- United in Love and Christ's glory

Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

John 17:24 English Standard Version

In verse 22 Jesus, in this long prayer to His Father, asks that believers may be united with the Father and with the Son (this by the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit). When believers are united to the Living God they live in the glory of God. Jesus continued in His prayer that believers will fully see Jesus’ own glory in eternity. This is to the great joy and blessing of believers to know their lives have been lived with tremendous purpose unto the honour and praise of God.

Right now, no doubt, people are making huge Christmas lists of things they want. The pandemic has prompted many to want tools and kitchen appliances and gadgets as being locked down in their homes people have plenty of time for projects. Others, knowing the vaccine is here dream of big cruises and trips expecting the vaccines will be a panacea allowing things to return “to normal”. The arrival of the virus has shown us one thing: no one knows what one day will bring. Normal is a fragile state.

Jesus, in His great sacrificial love for His people, prayed for the one gift that could never be taken from believers. To know the love of God by being united with Him and blessed to see His glory now and in ever growing fullness in eternity is to have the greatest gift. Do not chase after temporal things. Do not run after gifts that will be wiped out whenever the next stock market crash happens. Let your heart chase after Jesus Christ and in the pursuit of Him you will find joy unspeakable, full of glory. That is the only treasure you can take from this life into eternity.

Prayer today is Psalm 136:1-5

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the LORD of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever!

https://youtu.be/eMY3ivdNzwE