In John 17:24-26 (KJV)
V 24 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.
25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
Verse 24: The Desire for Unity and Presence
Jesus expresses His desire for His disciples to be with Him in heaven, to witness His glory. This glory is not just any glory but the glory given to Him by the Father, rooted in the eternal love that existed before the world was created. This verse underscores the ultimate goal of Christian hope: to be with Christ in heaven, sharing in His glory. The shift from being in "Abraham's bosom" (a term used in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Luke 16:2-31) to being with Christ signifies a new covenant and a direct relationship with Jesus, who is the mediator between God and humanity.
Verse 25: Knowledge of God
Jesus contrasts the world's ignorance of God with His own intimate knowledge of the Father and the disciples' recognition of Him as sent by God. This verse highlights the theme of knowing God, which is central to the Gospel of John. Knowing God is equated with knowing Jesus, and this knowledge is not merely intellectual but relational and transformative. The world's lack of knowledge of God leads to rejection of Jesus, as seen in other passages you mentioned (John 15:20, 16:3).
Verse 26: Declaration of God's Name and Love
Jesus has revealed God's name (His character and nature) to His disciples and will continue to do so. The purpose is that the love the Father has for Jesus might be in them, and Jesus Himself would be in them. This speaks to the indwelling of Christ in believers, facilitated by the Holy Spirit, and the perfecting love of God that casts out fear (1 John 4:18). The bond of love is what perfects the believer, drawing them into deeper communion with the Trinity.
Theological Implications:
1. Heaven and Christ's Glory: Heaven is described as the place where believers will be with Jesus, beholding His glory. This glory is not just a reward but a sharing in the divine life and love that has always existed between the Father and the Son.
2. Knowing God: True knowledge of God is relational and comes through Jesus Christ. Those who do not know Jesus do not truly know God, and this ignorance leads to rejection and separation from God.
3. The Love of God: The love that the Father has for the Son is to be in believers, signifying a profound union with God. This love is the bond that perfects believers, transforming them into the image of Christ.
4. The New Covenant: The shift from being comforted by Abraham to being with Jesus signifies the new covenant established through Christ's death and resurrection. Believers now have direct access to God through Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
In summary, these verses from John 17 highlight the ultimate hope of believers to be with Christ in heaven, the importance of knowing God through Jesus, and the transformative power of God's love that perfects believers. This passage is a profound prayer of Jesus for His disciples, encompassing themes of unity, glory, knowledge, and love that are central to Christian theology.
