Day 17
John 17:3
And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
In chapter 17, we see one of the most raw and vulnerable expressions of the love of Jesus Christ in all scripture. When we look at this final outcry from Jesus before his death on the cross, we find a deep desire for intimacy with us at the center of Jesus’ saving work on this earth. He didn’t pray that we would be fearless. He didn’t even pray that we would remain obedient. Jesus Christ prayed that we would be one. He prayed that our intimacy with God would ripple out into the world and produce faith in all who witness it. Jesus prayed from the depths of his soul that we would see, know, and love him even as he has seen, known, and loved us. There is no greater evidence that you are not on this journey of intimacy by accident. I invite you to recognize that in this very moment, you are standing in the manifestation of an answered prayer uttered by the savior of the world. Because God is the source and sustainer of life, to know him is to become intimately acquainted with life itself. This is more than just intellectual awareness of God. It is an experiential understanding of him. It’s one thing to know God is patient. It’s another thing to experience him being patient with you. It’s one thing to know God is kind. It’s another thing to be overwhelmed by his kindness to you. There is a knowledge of God that informs you, and then there is one that changes you. Because God is eternal, the journey of knowing him cannot occur in the confines of the physical world around us. It starts there, but to honestly know God, we must ascend to the supernatural realm where his truth exists. We must come into alignment with who God is. We do this through complete surrender.
Many of us have accepted Jesus as our savior, so we know one dimension of him, but until we come to know him as Lord, we can’t experience the knowledge of him that comes from giving him complete control. Only when I submit my finances to God can I know him as Jehovah Jireh- my provider. Only when I surrender my identity to him can I know him as El Roi, the God who sees me. Only when I submit my anxiety to him can I know him as Jehovah Shalom- my Prince of Peace. I have to go through battle with him by my side to recognize him as Jehovah Nissi- my banner of victory. The more I know God, the more I receive and return his love. Therefore, as I surrender more of myself to God, I enter into more profound revelations of who he is. Because Christ and the Father are one, to know Jesus Christ through the word of God is to participate in the divine life of the one true God. You ascend as the Holy Spirit causes your spirit to recognize the truth of God’s love in his Word. Anybody can read the bible, but to believe what it says and trust that what you read applies to you is supernatural. It’s a miracle. You, here, on this journey to awakening deeper intimacy with the Holy God you were created for, YOU are a living, breathing miracle. Selah.
Next Steps
Read John chapter 17 and take notes, making observations and asking questions as you read.
Mediate on 1 or 2 verses that stood out to you. Focus on what they reveal about God and how the Spirit is inviting you to respond. Find a helpful guide to biblical meditation here.
Write down whatever the Holy Spirit puts on your heart.
Reflection Questions
What does it actually look like for me to be one with God?
How does the truth of God sanctify us- set us apart as holy- (John 17:17)?
How does it feel to know that Jesus prayed for you in this way? What does it reveal about the depth of his love for you?
Prayer Points
Holy Father, protect us by the power of the name of Jesus so that we may be united with Christ through personal relationship and corporate fellowship (John 17:11-12).
Lord God, protect our hearts, relationships, and communities from any seeds of deception, distraction, or destruction that we may face in this world. Let us always come back to your truth (John 17:15)
Lord, fill our hearts with your joy so that intimacy with you is something we delight in. Show us how to seek you just for the opportunity to know you better (John 17:13)
Lord, let me be united with my brothers and sisters in Christ in love so we can carry your glory in the darkness. Help me to find and cultivate a godly community (John 17:22-26)
