“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 ESV).
In this deep, high priestly prayer, Jesus spoke to the Father on behalf of His disciples and all future believers. He revealed the ultimate destiny of believers, which was safely rooted in the eternal love within the Trinity before the creation of the world. When Jesus stated, “I desire,” He used the Greek word “thelō,” which is much stronger than a simple request. Jesus did not speak here as a helpless petitioner. He spoke as the divine Son whose will was perfectly united with the Father’s will.
This verse highlighted Christ’s immense tenderness. He did not merely pray that believers would avoid judgment; He explicitly desired their companionship. Christ’s heart was exposed here because He wanted His people near Him, delighting to share His magnificent glory in heaven with them.
This truth transforms how we view redemption. The ultimate goal of our salvation is not merely forgiveness, but eternal fellowship with the Lord Himself. Heaven is not just a beautiful destination; it is fundamentally about being with Jesus. Truly, the greatest gift He can give us is Himself.
We can find daily comfort in knowing that Christ genuinely wants us near Him, and delights in sharing His glory with us. As we face our daily struggles, we must remember that our eternal destiny is secure in His love. This beautiful reality shapes our current worship, shifts our focus from duty to devotion, and anchors our desire in Christ’s ultimate desire for us.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for the incredible depth of Your love. Thank You for drawing us into eternal fellowship through Your Son. We are amazed that Jesus desires our companionship and delights to share His heavenly glory with us. Help us to live today with the confidence of our secure destiny. In Jesus’ name, amen.