JOHN 17:24-26: Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Today’s scripture is a portion of the most profound prayer ever prayed by the most profound Person who ever prayed. It is our Lord’s High Priestly prayer in John 17. Take time today and read it in its entirety and do so with reverence and praise. Within the prayer is a petition the Lord offers for us that has connection to two other passages of scripture.

First, the petition – “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory.” Pay attention to the words “my glory”.

Now the connecting verses. In the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he writes two things about the glory of God. The first reference directs us to the beholding of His glory – And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). Moving into the next chapter, we read what God has done with His glory; revealed it to the believing sinner – For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).

As we group these together, Jesus praying we would behold His glory in the future; we seeking to behold His glory in the present; and God enabling us to see His glory now and, in the future, we are discovering the whole of the Christian life.

The more we behold the glory of God in the present, the more we are transformed into the image of the glorious One we are beholding, and the process of holy preparation for future beholding unfolds. Read the Corinthian verses again. The Apostle Paul is defining Christian living or sanctification – we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. And we behold the glory of Christ three ways.

We behold the glory of God by diligent study of the Word, fervent prayer, and aggressive obedience. In the study of the Word, we come to know Christ more than gain knowledge of Christ. In prayer, we are seeking communion with Him not a mere asking for things. In obedience we are striving for holiness in thought, speech, and deed because without it, we will not see Him or behold His glory – Strive for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). So, all that leads to this . . . “Are we beholding His glory? Are we regularly encountering the living God?” If not, let’s start asking our Father to answer His Son’s prayer–to behold His glory–as much as a redeemed sinner can this side of heaven.

PRAYER: “Father, satisfy me by beholding the glory of Your Son and conform me into His image as I do.”

QUOTE: “The whole of the Christian life is seeing the beauty and glory of Christ in the scripture and prayer.