“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” John 17:1-5

The hour had come. Jesus was about to go to the cross to suffer and die for the sins of the world and then rise again. On the eve of His death, He prayed that God the Father would glorify Him (the Son) so that He also might glorify the Father by giving eternal life to all that the Father had given to Him. To this end, God the Father had given Jesus authority over all flesh.

Jesus is here praying to His heavenly Father that, after He died for sin and accomplished our redemption by shedding His blood on the cross, the Father would exalt and glorify Him to His right hand so that He might also pour out the Holy Spirit and give to all God’s elect the eternal salvation which He won for us. In this way, God the Father, too, would receive glory for saving us from sin and death and giving us everlasting life.

What is eternal life? Jesus said, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” To have eternal life is to know God the Father, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom the Father sent into the world to redeem us.

Notice that it does not say: “To know about God and about Jesus Christ.” It says: “That they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Jesus, on another occasion, said, “No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him” (Matt. 11:27).

Can anyone then know God the Father, or God the Son, if it were not given to him of God? No, it is a gracious gift of God to know Him and to know Jesus as God the Son and our Savior (cf. John 1:11-13, 18; 6:37-40, 44-47, 63, 65; Matt. 16:15-17). And to know God the Father and Christ Jesus, His Son, is to know and receive by faith the eternal salvation Jesus won for us by His innocent sufferings and death on the cross.

Do you know God and His Son, Jesus Christ? Or do you merely know about God and His Son? It is one thing to know of God and of Jesus and what He did for us and then continue on in our old ways. It is quite another to take hold of God’s mercy and grace through faith in Jesus Christ and to walk in fellowship with God (cf. 1 John 1 and 2). To have eternal life is to know and embrace God the Son as our Savior and walk with Him (cf. 1 John 5:11-13; Eph. 2:8-10).

Jesus finished the work which God the Father had sent Him into the world to do. He was on the way to the cross to pay in full for our sins and the sins of the whole world. Thus, Jesus brought glory to the Father, who had sent Him, by finishing His redemptive work. Jesus prayed that the Father would now glorify Him with the glory that He had with the Father before the world was created. This God the Father did when Jesus was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven to rule over all things and bring men into His eternal kingdom! Cf. Col. 1:12-14.

Dear Lord Jesus, graciously grant that we may truly know You and the Father and partake of Your grace and mercy through faith. We ask this for the sake of your holy and precious blood shed for us upon the cross. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Life in this world is full of trouble and heartache. In addition to the sickness, pain, and death that all face, there is the persecution and suffering that those who follow Christ Jesus can expect in this world from those who continue in impenitence and rebellion against the LORD God, who created and redeemed them.

Before His betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion, Jesus attempted to prepare His disciples for what lay ahead. They were about to witness His passion and death on the cross, and all would look hopeless to them because of their unbelief and hardness of heart.

Though they would see Him again, alive from the dead, He would no longer be present with them in the same manner as He had been over the months and years before (cf. John 16:19-20). And they, too, would suffer much from the enemies of Christ as they proclaimed His Word and doctrine in the world (cf. John 16:1-5).

Jesus did not want His disciples’ faith to be shaken and destroyed by what was to come. He wanted them to continue to trust in Him and have peace in Him. Jesus warned His followers ahead of time so that, when all these things came to pass, they would hold fast to Him with the confidence that, in Him, they had forgiveness and, in Him, they had life everlasting in the mansions of His Father’s house (cf. John 14:1-6).

These words of comfort are for you and me, too, as we face tribulation and suffering in this world. We will face hardships and trouble. As Paul wrote, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). We should expect no less as we follow Christ and bear witness to the truth of His Word.

But though we must endure tribulation in this world, we can have peace in Christ Jesus. He has redeemed us from sin and death by His own innocent sufferings and death in our stead, and He has risen again in victory. Through faith in Him, we, too, have the victory. In Him, we have pardon and peace — forgiveness for all our sins. In Him, we have the assurance that we, too, shall be raised up unto life everlasting.

In the world, we shall have tribulation. Being a Christian and follower of Jesus will not bring us a life of ease and worldly peace, but we have peace in Jesus. We can be of good cheer whatever comes our way because Jesus, our Savior, has overcome the world. In Him, we have the final victory. In Him, we have the everlasting joys of heaven!

Jesus said: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of life You won for me by Your innocent sufferings and death in my stead. Graciously keep me in Your peace. Grant that I hold fast to You and Your Word and trust in You for pardon and life everlasting. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]

“7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” John 16:7-15 (Read John 16:1-15)

From Jesus’ words to His disciples before His death, resurrection and ascension, we learn much of the Holy Spirit’s ministry. When Jesus ascended into heaven and poured out His Spirit, the Holy Spirit was a witness against the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgment.

The Holy Spirit, through the preaching of the apostles and ministers of Jesus, testifies against the whole world of unbelievers, convicting them of sin because they have rejected and crucified Jesus Christ, God’s own Son and the only source of forgiveness and life (cf. Acts 2:1ff.; Heb. 10:26-31); convicting them of righteousness because Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, had ascended to the very throne of God with the only righteousness that is acceptable to God (cf. Acts 4:11-12; Rom. 3:10ff.; 1 John 2:1-2); and convicting them of judgment because the devil, who rules over the world of sinners, has already been overcome and judged by Jesus’ victory on the cross, meaning that all who continue under Satan’s rule will soon share in his judgment and condemnation (cf. Luke 10:18; Rev. 12:1-17; Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10-15).

But for those of us who believe, the Holy Spirit comes alongside us and dwells in us as a Helper and Encourager to keep us trusting in Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness and life eternal.

He guides us into all truth because He takes the things of Jesus Christ and tells them to us. Through the apostles and prophets, He has given to us the Holy Scriptures, “which are able to make [us] wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15; cf. 3:14-17; James 1:18).

The Holy Spirit teaches us as we read and study His Word so that we know the truth and are made free from slavery to sin and alive to God through faith in Jesus and His blood shed for sin (cf. John 8:31-32; 1 John 2:27; Psalm 119:97-105).

The Spirit reminds and assures us that, though we have sinned, through faith in Jesus’ shed blood we have forgiveness and life everlasting (cf. 1 John 1:8-2:2; Rom. 3:21-26; Isa. 1:18).

And the Spirit comforts us with the knowledge that, though our lives in this world are full of pain and suffering, we have an eternal inheritance awaiting us in heaven for Jesus’ sake (cf. 1 Pet. 1:3-9; Rev. 7:9-17; John 14:1-3; 16:33).

Dear Lord Jesus, grant us the help and comfort of Your Holy Spirit that we may learn the truth revealed in Your Word and trust in You for forgiveness and life and follow You unto life everlasting. Amen.

[Scripture quoted from the King James Version of the Bible]

“If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.” John 15:22-24

With knowledge comes responsibility. Knowing the truth and not acting on it brings greater guilt than failing to act because one did not know.

Jesus said this was the case regarding His countrymen who heard His words and saw His miracles but refused to believe that He was and is the long-promised Messiah, the very Son of God who came into this world as a man to redeem us from sin and death and to grant to all who believe pardon and life eternal.

Jesus told His disciples that if He had not spoken to His fellow Jews and shared with them the truth regarding their sinfulness and the way to be forgiven and saved through faith in His name, they would not be guilty of rejecting the truth. But, since they heard the truth and rejected it — since they refused to repent of their sinful ways and look to Jesus and His atoning sacrifice on the cross in faith for pardon and forgiveness — they had no excuse for their sin.

Jesus pointed out that those who hated Him and rejected Him were rejecting God the Father as well. They were rejecting the God they claimed to worship and serve!

And if Jesus had not done among them the many mighty miracles that testified of the truth that He is the eternal Son of God in human flesh and blood, they would have had an excuse for their unbelief and sin.

But they saw His works — works no one could do if God were not working in Him and through Him, and works that testified to His deity and His power and authority to save! Therefore, they were guilty before God of hating and rejecting God the Son, their Messiah and Savior, and hating God the Father also, the one who sent His Son into the world to win for us pardon and salvation!

And, I might add, they rejected the witness and testimony of the Holy Spirit, too, for He, as well as Jesus’ disciples, testified of Jesus regarding His person and His work (v. 26-27).

What about you? Through the teaching of the Bible, you have heard the truth about your sinfulness and about Jesus, God’s Son and Your only Savior. Through the pages of Scripture, you have learned of His mighty works — healing the sick, opening the eyes of the blind, cleansing the lepers, driving out demons, and even raising the dead and rising again Himself after being crucified for the sins of the world. Do you turn from your sins to Jesus and His cross in faith for pardon, forgiveness, and eternal life? Or do you reject Jesus and God the Father who sent Him?

With knowledge comes responsibility. Knowing the truth and not acting on it brings greater guilt than failing to act because one did not know.

Dear Lord Jesus, grant that I believe the witness of Your words and works and trust in You for pardon and the eternal joys of heaven for the sake of Your holy life and innocent sufferings and death in my stead and Your glorious resurrection. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]

I made no specific New Year’s resolutions this year, though I certainly have some things in my life worthy of my resolve — things like losing weight, eating healthier, exercising more, and… Perhaps I should have resolved to take inventory and make a list of new resolves since there are plenty of needs in that regard.

But rather than making a long list of resolves I will likely fail to achieve, I decided to focus on my greatest need at this point in life and travel in that direction one step at a time. As a former truck driver, I learned the only way to reach a distant destination was to take it one mile at a time, so a step at a time is at least headed in the right direction.

In Psalm 90:10, Moses wrote, “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”

This is the year I reach “threescore years and ten,” which means I will have reached my life expectancy in just a few months. Any years beyond 70 are an extra blessing from the Giver of Life, though I can expect in any years yet to come “labor and sorrow” and, ultimately, an end to this earthly life because of God’s wrath against sin. (I invite you to take the time to read Psalm 90.)

This reality — and my body reminds me of this psalm’s truth — has made clear to me what is most important in this new year and in any years yet to come for me. The 12th verse of Psalm 90 says, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

While losing weight and getting more exercise may be important, what is truly important is being ready for what will follow life in this sin-stained world — How can I be ready to meet my Maker? Because stand before Him I soon will!

Such thoughts have prompted me to re-examine much in my life, including things I have believed, taught and practiced. It has caused me to seek God’s mercy for past sins and failures and to take comfort in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God the Son in human flesh and blood. There is no benefit in covering up past sins or trying to excuse them because, as the Bible states: “Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance” (Psalm 90:8). It also says, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Prov. 28:13).

I am also sifting through my beliefs and teaching to distinguish and separate between God’s truth and manmade applications and sometimes additions and alterations to the truth. This is not picking and choosing what I like or dislike, what I wish to teach and what I would rather ignore; it’s distinguishing between what is taught in the Bible and what is advocated by men and churches and denominations in applying Biblical teaching.

One pastor I know from a Lutheran Church of German heritage said it this way: “Give me Jesus without the sauerkraut.” In other words, it’s to hold fast to Jesus and what the Bible teaches without insisting on the traditions and rites instituted by men (what might be called sauerkraut for Lutherans with German heritage and some other dish for churches with different traditions and practices and of a different heritage).

I’m not saying all traditions and rites are bad; they can be helpful, but they should never be elevated to the point of being necessary for salvation or the only right way to practice the Christian Faith.

One thing the Bible makes quite clear is that there is only one way to be acceptable to God and counted righteous and holy in His eyes, and that is through faith in Jesus and His cross. The Bible teaches that believers are “accepted in the Beloved” and “have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:6-7; cf. Col. 1:19-23). There is no other way to be acceptable to God or to stand in His judgment. No human rites or traditions, nothing I do can make me acceptable to God. It is only through faith in Jesus and His cross; I don’t need to eat the sauerkraut — it makes me gag a bit anyway.

It is as the Robert Lowry hymn says so well, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. O precious is the flow that makes me white as snow; no other fount I know; nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

In the eyes of some, my journey of re-evaluating beliefs and teachings and distinguishing between Biblical doctrine and manmade traditions and practices might disqualify me from being truly Lutheran. Many other churches and denominations might disqualify me, too, because I do not endorse their views, rites, and traditions. But being accepted by men and earthly churches doesn’t matter nearly so much as being accepted by God, and God accepts me for Jesus’ sake!