This is Eternal Life

This is Eternal Life

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

John 17:3

If we would understand eternal life, we can do no better than to receive instruction from the Mouth of Christ Himself. Our text today arises from the High Priestly Prayer, which Christ uttered on the night before He went to the cross. He defines eternal life in simple terms, ‘And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.’ We find these words not merely simple, but also very broad in their implications. He says, ‘this is life eternal, that they may know You, the only True God.’ May we, poor, finite creatures know the Infinite God? This exceeds all human ability. It presents to us an utter human impossibility. To this statement, however, Christ adds, ‘and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.’ Herein lies the key to knowing God. We see, in Christ, ‘the brightness’ of God’s Glory. We see in Christ, ‘the express Image of His Person.’ Christ Himself declared to His disciples, ‘He who has seen me has seen the Father.’ If we would have eternal life we must know God. If we would know God, we must know Christ. In the matter of eternal life, these are all of a piece; not one portion stands apart from the others. Therefore, Christ is the most important Person in all of human history. For us to know Him is most crucial. The great cause for rejoicing, which we have, is that He has done so much already to make Himself known to us. He has not hidden Himself or refused to allow us to draw near. Today, let us rejoice in this Christ, Who enables us to know God by revealing unto us His Own Self.

O Christ, Sun of Righteousness, we rejoice that You have arisen,
shedding Your Holy Light upon our darkened lives.
We praise You, that by knowing You, we come to know the Eternal God,
and have life eternal.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning