“That the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” – John 17:23
LIGHT FOR NOW: The highest revelation of the Father’s love is not merely that He loves us, but that He loves us with the very love with which He loves His Son.
As we bring this month’s devotional journey to its grand conclusion, we arrive at one of the most breathtaking statements ever spoken by Jesus. In John 17, Jesus is praying to the Father shortly before His crucifixion. This chapter is often called the High Priestly Prayer because it gives us a glimpse into the intimate fellowship that has eternally existed between the Father and the Son. Within this prayer, Jesus makes a statement so profound that many believers read past it without fully appreciating its significance. He prays: “That the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me”. Pause and think about that. Jesus did not say that the Father loves believers merely a little. He did not say that the Father tolerates believers. He did not say that the Father accepts believers reluctantly. He said the Father loves them as He loves His Son.
Through union with Christ, believers have been brought into the sphere of the Father’s affection. What the Father feels toward the Son has now become the believer’s inheritance in Christ. This is the ultimate triumph of redemption. The Father’s goal was never merely to forgive sinners. His goal was to bring them into His family and share with them the love that has eternally existed within the Godhead. Before the foundation of the world, the Father loved the Son. Jesus Himself says later in this same prayer: “For thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world”. Think about that; before creation, before time, before the stars existed; the Father loved the Son. Then through Christ, believers are invited into that same relationship of love. This explains why the New Testament repeatedly calls believers: Beloved, accepted, children of God, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ. These are not merely religious titles. They reveal our standing in the Father’s heart.
Many Christians spend their lives trying to convince God to love them more. Yet the gospel announces that God’s love has already been fully revealed in Christ. The believer’s journey is therefore not a pursuit of love. It is a discovery of the love already given. The more this revelation settles into the heart, the more transformation occurs. Fear loses its grip; condemnation loses its voice; and insecurity loses its power. The believer begins to walk with confidence, not because of personal achievement, but because of the Father’s affection. This was the secret of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Before He performed a miracle, before He preached a sermon, before He healed the sick; the Father declared: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”. Jesus ministered from acceptance, not for acceptance.
Likewise, believers are called to live from the Father’s love, not strive for it. As we conclude this series, let this truth remain with you: You are loved. Not because of your performance, not because of your achievements, not because of your consistency; but because you are in Christ. And in Christ, the Father has brought you into the fellowship of His eternal love. This is the believer’s greatest security. This is the believer’s greatest identity. And this is the believer’s greatest inheritance.
INSTRUCTION: Spend time today meditating on John 17. Allow the Holy Spirit to deepen your understanding of your place in the Father’s heart through Christ.
CONFESSION/PRAYER: Father, thank You for loving me through Jesus Christ. Thank You for bringing me into Your family and making me a recipient of Your eternal affection. Help me to live every day rooted in the confidence of Your love and to reflect that love to the world around me, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
For More light; get the message, ‘The Love of God’
QUOTE: The highest privilege of redemption is not merely forgiveness of sins, but participation in the Father’s love.
DAILY READING: MORNING: JOHN CHAPTER 17; EVENING: EPHESIANS CHAPTER 3:14-21
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 