The Meaning of Life

John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

Before we get into today’s text, let’s catch up on the context of the passage. Starting in John 13, we find that Jesus has gathered his apostles together to partake of Jesus’ last Passover remembrance. That very evening, Jesus will be betrayed by Judas, arrested by they Jews, tried in a kangaroo court and turned over to the Romans to be executed for his “crimes”. While in the upper room partaking of the passover meal, Jesus uses that memorial to establish the Lord’s Supper of which we as Christians ought to partake to remember Jesus’ great sacrifice. After the meal, Jesus gives those that will carry on his legacy. final instructions. Just following the discussion in chapters 13-16, Jesus closes out the evening by offering a prayer to his father. In chapter 17 is the recording of at least part of the prayer.

During that prayer in the upper room with the apostles, Jesus makes this interesting statement. One of which we ought to strive to be able to state on our last day on earth. I believe, that if we are Christians, this ought to be the meaning of our lives! He makes 2 separate yet related declarations.

1. I Have Glorified thee on Earth!

I once had a discussion with a person and they made a profound statement that I believe most of the world lives by: “It’s my life, I’ll do what I want”. Here is a secret ...... If you are a Christian .... It is NOT your life!

1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

This passage tells us a truth that should be obvious but often is not in the spiritual application. Let’s say that you buy your dream house. And on the evening that you have closed on that house and have taken possession, you hear a rustling at the door and see the former owners letting themselves in. You go to them and ask, “What are you doing?” And they reply, “Just because we sold the house, didn’t mean that we intended on living somewhere else.” How would you reply? I would say GET OUT! As the owners of the house now, you have complete control over what happens.

When we voluntarily gave ourselves over to God to have our sins washed away, we sold ourselves to God. Therefore, we no longer have control over what we do. Instead, God is in control. Therefore like Christ, we should glorify God in our bodies.

But what does it mean to Glorify God? In short, our lives should be a walking advertisement for the goodness, love, grace, mercy, compassion and purity of God! We should live in such a manner that people see a difference and want what we have!

2. I Have Finished the Work Which Thou Gave Me to Do!

The second thing that Jesus says in this verse is that he has finished what God wanted him to do. Are we about our father’s business? Are we doing what God wants us to do? Do we keep our eyes open for opportunities to serve God? Do we share the mission of Jesus to seek and to save the lost? Do we have the mind of Jesus (Phil 2:5)? Do we walk in the steps of Jesus (1 Peter 2:21)?

What is your life about? Are you more focused on yourself, or do you share in Jesus’ view of life?