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)
Why do Christians die? We know that death has entered the world because of sin. Everything that sins must die. This is very good news. It means that sin and all the pain, bitterness, hurt, disappointment and despair that it causes won’t last forever. Sin and its ugly consequences must die. But sin has no existence of its own. Sin is what sinners do. And therefore, if sin is to be removed sinners must be removed too. The soul that sins must die. So we know why people must die. But why Christians? Christians have been forgiven. Their sin did die when Christ died. By Christ’s death on the cross on their behalf, Christians have been cleansed of all sin. So why do Christians still have to die? Because Jesus prayed for them to come to Him. In our text, Jesus prays that every person whom the Father has given to Jesus, will be with Him and see His glory. Jesus prays that we will leave this world behind. That we pass through to another world. A world where His glory is on display for all to see. Jesus’ heart’s desire is that Christians be with Him and gaze and gaze upon His glory. This is His prayer to the Father. Jesus wants this so badly He is willing to sacrifice Himself in order for this prayer to be answered. John 17 is Jesus’ High Priestly prayer of consecration before He offers Himself as a sacrifice of atonement. Just like the High Priest in the Old Testament prayed to God and asked Him to accept the sacrifice he was about to offer, cleanse the sins of the people, so Jesus Christ just before He offers Himself as an atonement for sin, prays this High Priestly prayer. The heart of His prayer is that those whom the Father has given to the Son must end up coming to Him to see His glory. We also get a glimpse of what this glory is. It is the glory of the love that the Father has for the Son before the world began. This is what your deceased Christian loved one, friend or relative is enjoying right now. They are caught up in the love of the Father for the Son. They are with Him and mesmerized by endless love. This is heaven. You too will join them there if you hold fast to Jesus. PRAY and thank God that not a single Christian who has died has any regrets. Every single one of them are caught up in the Father-Son Eternal Love. Pray that God will keep you safe in Him until His prayer that you be with Him is answered by the Father. And rejoice in your glorious destiny as a Christian.