“Just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is eternal life: That they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:2-3)

John 17:1-11

In this text, John defines eternal life as knowing God and Jesus and having a relationship with them. Jesus prays that God will grant us this knowing, this eternal life. 

Jesus knows all that there is to know about us. He wants us to develop a relationship with him, be his friend, talk to him, listen to him and trust him with all he knows about us, good or bad. Jesus desires that we know him and he us, that we understand him and he us, and that we love him as he loves us. Jesus wants an authentic relationship with us.

An ongoing encounter and relationship with Jesus allow us to understand and know him better. This knowledge and understanding lead us to worship Jesus and share his love with others. There are many examples of those who regularly spent time with Jesus and got to know him well. Lazarus, Mary and Martha and even Thomas knew Jesus and followed him. They had a friendship and a relationship with Jesus.
 

Reflections by Gillian Hugo

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