John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom you have given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which you have given me… I. ITS SIGNIFICANCE EXPLAINED. 1. Co-existence with Christ. Now He co-exists with the Church (Matthew 18:20; Matthew 28:20); then the Church will co-exist with Him (Matthew 12:26; 1 Thessalonians 4:17). Now He comes down, then He will take us up. Now the place where they are together is the scene of the Church's trials, conflicts, labours, discipline: then the place will be the house of many mansions, the scene of Christ's exaltation and glory. 2. Communion with Christ. Christ and His Church have that here (1 John 1:3). Here we see Him, but not with open vision (1 Corinthians 13:12). There the vision will be unveiled and full (1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 22:4). They shall behold His glory, not only its outward symbol — the throne, sceptre, angels, trumpets, &c. — but the eternal, perfect love of the Father to Him, and the glory which, moved by that love, the Father put upon Him when He constituted Him the Crown of redeemed humanity (Ephesians 1:22; Philippians 2:9, 10; 1 Peter 3:22). 3. Conformity to Christ. This is realized here in part (2 Corinthians 4:18), there it will be complete (Romans 8:29; 1 John 3:2). 4. Co-partnership with Christ. Christ is here co-partner of the Church s sufferings (Hebrews 4:15); by and by we shall participate in His glory (ver. 22; Revelation 3:21; 2 Timothy 2:12). II. ITS CERTAINTY GUARANTEED. 1. By the "I will" of the Divine Servant. Having accomplished the work (ver. 4) Christ was entitled to claim the stipulated reward — not merely to "ask" or "wish," though that would have been enough. And as failure is impossible with reference either to God's promise (Hebrews 5:18), or Christ's reward (Isaiah 53:2), so certainly Christ's believing people will eventually be glorified with Him in heaven. 2. By the "I will" of the Divine Son. As such Christ had power to bestow eternal life (ver. 2), and so the ultimate glorification of the Church is seen. III. ITS JUSTICE VINDICATED (ver. 25, 26). 1. If the world is not glorified it is because it cannot be. Eternal righteousness forbids the glorification of such as know not the Father. 2. If the Church is glorified, it is because glory is the necessary outcome of grace. Lessons: 1. The blessedness of heaven. 2. The certainty of salvation. 3. The necessity of growing in knowledge. 4. The righteousness of the unbelieving world's doom. 5. Grace the song of the glorified. (T. Whitelaw, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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