In John 17, Jesus is preparing the disciples for his death. There is a rather long section of John referred to as Jesus' "High Priestly Prayer," which recounts the message he came to share, the way he reveals, and his hope for those whom he leaves behind.
John 17:3 reads: "And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
When asked to define or speak of "eternal life," we tend to slip into comments which speak of time or an amount of time. There may be references to a place or to a veiled location. Here, Jesus speaks of eternal life as a relationship. Eternal life is knowing God.
Christian writers will speak of the "already - not yet" aspect of our faith. We already have what we need; we are already saved. Yet to come is the fullness of that banquet; yet to come is a clearer vision of the relationship God has established with us.
Eternal life is an already-not yet thing. There is a part of it which lies out there, somewhere. But there is another part (an important part) which is already ours. It comes to us in our knowledge of God. It is ours by virtue of our relationship with Jesus.
As I begin my Lenten journey, I want to keep in mind that I strive for an ending which is already given me. I seek a destination to which I have already arrived. Eternal life is mine, as much today as it ever will be. And it is my experience of this life is what pulls me forward to deepen my participation.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
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