May 2, 2021
“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3 ESV
In his last prayer before his arrest, Jesus petitions his Father on behalf of his disciples and for all future converts to the faith, that all of us would be “sanctified in the truth” (verses 17-19). Understanding that “sanctify” means being “set apart” and that “truth” refers to God’s word (verse 17), his prayer is that the word (spoken by Christ and handed down to us through Scripture), would shape us into his image for eternity.
But what is eternity? Endless celebration and praise? Yes, but Jesus offers an added element: that we will “know” the only true God and his Son. The Hebraic meaning of “knowing” is much more than intellectual assent. It embodies intimate knowledge, even to the extent of sexual intimacy (Genesis 4:1, Matthew 1:25). Thus, in this next life, we will fully and ecstatically know the Father and Son without hesitation or inhibition. Hallelujah! Eternity waits for us.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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