Knowing The Son

Knowing the Son

John 17:1-5, NLT

After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. 2For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. 3And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. 4I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.”

Setting the Scene

The time for Jesus’ glorification had arrived. If the Father would glorify the Son in the Crucifixion and Resurrection, the Son could, in turn, give eternal life to believers. In doing so, he would glorify the Father. Jesus clearly stated that people could have eternal life by “know[ing] you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.” In this statement, Jesus affirmed that he had glorified the Father on earth by “completing the work” that the Father had given him to do. This work would be accomplished through his death on the cross. Then, looking beyond the Cross to his resurrection and ascension, Jesus asked the Father to restore the glory he had enjoyed with the Father “before the world began.” Jesus’ resurrection and ascension—and Stephen’s dying exclamation (Acts 7:56)—attest that Jesus’ prayer was answered. He returned to his exalted position at the right hand of God.

Paul explains . . .

Though [Jesus] was God,

he did not think of equality with God

as something to cling to.

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;

he took the humble position of a slave

and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form,

he humbled himself in obedience to God

and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor

and gave him the name above all other names,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

(Philippians 2:6-11, NLT)

Getting Personal

How did God glorify Jesus in his crucifixion and resurrection?

Who or what was most influential in helping you come to know Jesus?

What steps or resources help you continue to know Jesus?

Jesus knew who he was—the Son of God who had come to earth to redeem fallen humankind. Today, people have wide-ranging ideas of Jesus’ identity. Some see him as an idealistic religious leader; others highlight his moral teachings and example. Some call him a radical, and others focus on his concern for the poor.

While some Jesus-views have a bit of truth, these are the most important facts about Jesus: He is fully divine and fully human; he died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead; eternal life can be found only through faith in him. We can know a lot about various religious practices and the Bible. We can even live an exemplary life of morality and good works. But that means nothing unless we know Jesus.

Talking to God

Thank God for the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, which reconciles you to him and makes it possible for you to approach him in prayer. Bow at the wonderful name of Jesus, which means “Savior,” and confess that he is Lord, to the glory of God.