138. Give Eternal Life
John 17:2, 3 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Jesus gives eternal life; God shares His life with us; God gave power over all flesh to His Son so that Jesus could give us God’s life. Knowing God and Jesus is eternal life. Jesus brought us to God and God to us, and when He did, voila – eternal life.
There seems to be one issue to solve: eternal life is given to those whom God gave to Jesus. The key seems to be in these words: “God has given.” Jesus gave eternal life to those whom God gave to Jesus. The origin and genesis of all that Jesus did to earn, and then to give, eternal life is God’s giving. God loves me, God gives me, God sends Jesus for me; it starts in God’s heart, and love is in the heart of God. We know God gave Jesus for us, but it is a little surprising to hear that God gave us to Jesus. I am the Father’s Christmas present to His Son. Jesus not only loves me, He wants me. I am the joy set before Him when He endured the cross. The Father loves the Son so deeply, even emotionally, that He gave Him what He wanted: me.
Jesus loves the sheep and laid down His life for them, and He has many that were given Him from the Father; but He also has many more that are not yet in the fold. The kingdom of God is a fluid entity, always in process, ever growing and expanding; there are many more that God gives to Jesus and He is bringing them in. Eternal life is not static, but it is alive, moving, changing and getting better. The longer life goes on the better it gets. Can you imagine? What will life be like in 10,000 years?