Meaning of John 17:24

This verse, spoken by Jesus during His High Priestly Prayer in John 17, expresses His profound desire for His followers to share in His eternal glory and presence with the Father. It is not merely a wish for future heavenly existence but a deeply relational longing for communion, rooted in the Father's pre-existent love for the Son. Jesus articulates a desire for the unity of His redeemed people with Him, a unity that reflects the intimate and eternal love between the Father and the Son, a love that existed before the cosmos was formed. This prayer underscores Jesus' ultimate purpose: to bring humanity into the very fellowship He shares with God.

Context and Background

John 17 is known as Jesus' "High Priestly Prayer," a lengthy and intimate intercession offered just before His arrest and crucifixion. It is a pivotal moment where Jesus prays for Himself, for His disciples (both present and future), and for all believers throughout history. This particular verse, 17:24, falls within the section where Jesus prays for the unity and glorification of believers. The "those you have given me" refers to those the Father has drawn to Jesus, His disciples, and by extension, all who will believe in Him through their witness. The "glory" Jesus speaks of is not merely a dazzling light but the manifestation of His divine nature, His perfect character, and His authority, which He received from the Father.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Unity and Fellowship: The verse highlights the intimate and eternal relationship between the Father and the Son. Jesus' desire for believers to be with Him and see His glory is a plea for them to be integrated into this divine fellowship.
• Eternal Love as the Foundation: The phrase "because you loved me before the creation of the world" emphasizes that the Father's love for the Son is the bedrock upon which salvation and future glorification are built. This love is not a response to anything created but an intrinsic, foundational aspect of the Godhead.
• Jesus' Desire for His Own: Jesus expresses a personal and passionate longing for His followers. He wants them to experience the fullness of His presence and the splendor of His divine nature.
• Glorification: The "glory" is both present (in Christ's divine identity) and future (in the redeemed state of believers). It signifies being made perfect, holy, and in full communion with God.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers, this verse offers immense comfort and a profound sense of security. It assures us that our ultimate destiny is to be in Christ's presence, sharing in His glory. This promise is not contingent on our own merit but on the Father's eternal love for Jesus and His desire to share that love with His redeemed people. It calls us to orient our lives towards this eternal hope, finding our identity and purpose in Christ. The desire for our presence with Him also implies a desire for our spiritual growth and transformation, so that we may be fit for that glorious communion.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is deeply interwoven with the overarching narrative of redemption. It echoes the Father's love for humanity expressed in Genesis 1:26-27 (creating humanity in His image) and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the book of Revelation. Revelation 21:1-4 describes a new heaven and a new earth where God dwells with humanity, and "he will wipe every tear from their eyes." This is the ultimate realization of Jesus' prayer in John 17:24, where believers fully experience God's presence and glory, free from sin and suffering. The concept of the Son's glory being given by the Father also points to Christ's deity and His role in the plan of salvation, as foretold in the Old Testament prophets.

Analogies

• A Royal Invitation: Imagine a king who deeply loves his children, not just as subjects, but as cherished family. He invites them to live in his royal palace, not in servitude, but to share in his splendor and to witness his magnificent reign. Jesus, the King of Kings, extends this invitation to His followers.
• A Family Reunion: Think of a family whose bond is so strong and ancient that it predates their very existence. The ultimate joy of this family is to be together, sharing their heritage and their love. Jesus desires this profound unity with His spiritual family.
• A Masterpiece and its Admirers: A great artist, having poured immense love into creating a masterpiece, desires for those who appreciate it to stand alongside it, to fully behold its beauty and understand the passion behind its creation. Christ desires for us to behold His glory, which is the ultimate expression of God's artistry.

Relation to Other Verses

• John 14:2-3: "My Father’s house has many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." This passage directly anticipates the fulfillment of John 17:24, speaking of Jesus preparing a place for believers to be with Him.
• Romans 8:17-18: "Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us." This highlights the future glory believers will share with Christ.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:17: "...and so we will be with the Lord forever." This verse speaks to the eternal presence with Christ that is the ultimate outcome of His prayer.
• Philippians 3:21: "...who, by the power that enables him to subject all things to himself, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." This points to the transformative aspect of the glorification Jesus desires for His followers.