“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world,” John 17:24.
This will be our last study in John 17. Next week, in the will of God, we will start a study in Hebrews 11, which I have entitled, FAITH, MIGHTY FAITH!
Here we have clearly expressed the ‘will’ of Christ for His people. The word ‘will’ here is a strong expression of the Saviour’s desire.
I. WHO IT IS THE SAVIOUR IS PRAYING FOR.
“They also, whom thou hast given me.” This expression is repeated. Verses 7, 9, 11 and now here. It is vitally important that we know and understand the ‘origins’ of our being saved by the grace of God.
Consider Rev 13:8 and 17:8. Here is evidence given us of just how long the Lord has had His elect in His mind and heart!
II. WHAT IT IS THE SAVIOUR DESIRES FOR HIS PEOPLE.
“That they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am.” He would have them with Him! This is FIRST STEP of a true Christian, John 6:37. They COME to Him! Boys and girls, how sure of heaven the true child of God may be. There will be none in hell who were given Him by the Father. “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand,” John 10:28-29. Two hands hold us. Two walk either side of us. Our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
III. THE SAVIOUR WANTS HIS PEOPLE TO “BEHOLD” HIS GLORY.
The word ‘glory’ means ‘to see the splendid brightness and magnificence of Christ’.
1. That has never yet been fully seen by men or women. Moses desired to see the glory of God but could not, for the Lord said: “Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live,” Exodus 33:20. Much earlier he had an experience at the bush that burned. “Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God,” Exodus 3:6. Note the progress - ‘Afraid’ to a desire to ‘see’.
2. Glimpses of the Saviour’s glory have been given. “And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud,” Exodus 16:10. “And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering,” Luke 9:28-29.
3. We will both see that glory fully one day and be clothed in it. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is,” 1 John 3:2.
Note how those who have this hope within them should live. “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure,” 1 John 3:3. We should ‘wash’ ourselves and be clean from corruption. “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you,” John 15:3. “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,” Ephesians 5:26.