Meditation: Why Do You Even Want Eternal Life?

“After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” —John 17:1-3

Read this verse as a prayer. Read the below as a meditation. Then read the verse again asking God to reveal anything he would like to redeem in you.

As I think on these words, I ask God to remind me of the purpose of this project of redemption in the world. Who am I that you are mindful of me? What is eternal life and why do I actually desire it?

Eternal life is not and has never been about rest, although we will find rest.

Eternal life has never been about hope, although it grants much hope (especially in dark times).

Eternal life has never been about cheating death, because death lost fair and square through Christ’s sacrifice.

Eternal life has never been about reward, even though the Bible speaks plenty about the rewards of our righteousness and faithfulness to God.

Eternal life has never been about escaping the troubles of the present age, even though it gives us a greater story to connect to.

Eternal life has never been about freedom, for even those who know God experience earthly bondage and injustice.

Eternal life has never been about personal liberties, for we are made slaves unto the only good King.

Eternal life has never been about you, it is actually about you and Him.

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. —John 17:3

If our theology of salvation cannot be true in the most just, free, powerful, healthy, wealthy, safe places on earth, then we have missed Jesus’s words entirely.

Likewise, if our theology of salvation cannot be true in the most unjust, broken, corrupt, oppressive, sick, impoverished, dangerous, isolated places on Earth, we have missed Jesus words again.

We are eternal to know Him.

We are eternal to be known.

#eternity #eternallife #theology #salvation #kingdomofgod