Jesus' Heartfelt Desire for Our Presence

In this message, we explore the profound desire of Jesus for us to be with Him, as revealed in John 17:24-26. Jesus' prayer at the Last Supper is not just a plea for His own glorification but a heartfelt invitation for us to share in His glory. This passage underscores the two-way relationship between us and Christ. It's not merely about our desire to be with Him in heaven; He earnestly desires our presence with Him. This is a comforting truth, especially when we feel unwanted or rejected in this world. Jesus' desire for us is not out of obligation but out of genuine inclination. He wants us near Him, and this should fill us with joy and assurance.

The phrase "those whom you have given me" is significant. It highlights the divine initiative in our relationship with Christ. We are not intruders in God's kingdom; we are chosen and given to Jesus by the Father. This truth carries weight in Jesus' prayer and offers us comfort, knowing that our place with Him is secure. Jesus' prayer is a reminder that God's promises are fulfilled through prayer. Even promises require our active participation in prayer, as Jesus demonstrated.

Furthermore, the desire of Jesus for us to see His glory is central to the gospel. The good news is not just about salvation from sin but an invitation to behold and share in the infinite glory of Christ. This is the essence of the gospel—the glory of Christ. As we meditate on His character and His words, we grow in our admiration and love for Him, making the prospect of being with Him forever a rich and fulfilling hope.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Jesus' desire for us to be with Him is a profound truth that should fill us with joy and assurance. It's not just about our longing for heaven; He earnestly wants us near Him, which is a comforting thought when we feel unwanted in this world. [11:26]
• 2. The phrase "those whom you have given me" emphasizes the divine initiative in our relationship with Christ. We are chosen and given to Jesus by the Father, assuring us that our place with Him is secure. This truth carries weight in Jesus' prayer and offers us comfort. [04:34]
• 3. Jesus' prayer demonstrates that God's promises are fulfilled through prayer. Even promises require our active participation in prayer, as Jesus showed. This encourages us to pray with confidence, knowing that God's promises are sure. [15:30]
• 4. The gospel is about the glory of Christ. It's not just about salvation from sin but an invitation to behold and share in the infinite glory of Christ. This is the essence of the gospel—the glory of Christ. [21:30]
• 5. Meditating on Jesus' character and words helps us grow in admiration and love for Him. As we do this, the prospect of being with Him forever becomes a rich and fulfilling hope, making our relationship with Him more vibrant and real. [19:22]
  ** [19:22]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:23] - Jesus' Desire for Us
• [01:16] - The Prayer of Jesus
• [02:14] - Sharing in His Glory
• [03:20] - The Significance of Being Given
• [04:34] - Divine Initiative in Our Relationship
• [06:05] - God's Will for Us
• [07:44] - Comfort in Jesus' Prayer
• [09:32] - Jesus' Inclination Towards Us
• [11:26] - Feeling Wanted by God
• [13:59] - The Assurance of Jesus' Desire
• [15:30] - Praying for Promises
• [17:10] - The Hope of Being with Jesus
• [19:22] - Meditating on Jesus' Character
• [21:30] - The Gospel of Christ's Glory

1. In John 17:24, what does Jesus express as His desire for those given to Him by the Father? How does this reflect the two-way relationship between Jesus and believers? [00:23]
2. How does the phrase "those whom you have given me" in John 17:24 emphasize the divine initiative in our relationship with Christ? [04:34]
3. According to John 6:37-39, what is the will of the Father concerning those given to Jesus, and how does this relate to the security of believers? [06:05]
4. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, how is the gospel described, and what does this imply about the nature of the good news? [21:08]

1. What does Jesus' desire for us to be with Him reveal about His character and His relationship with believers? How does this impact our understanding of being wanted by God? [11:26]
2. How does the concept of being "given" to Jesus by the Father provide comfort and assurance to believers, especially in times of feeling unwanted or rejected? [07:44]
3. In what ways does Jesus' prayer in John 17 demonstrate the importance of prayer in the fulfillment of God's promises? How can this understanding influence our prayer life? [15:30]
4. How does the invitation to behold and share in the glory of Christ redefine the essence of the gospel beyond just salvation from sin? [21:30]

1. Reflect on a time when you felt unwanted or rejected. How does knowing that Jesus desires you to be with Him change your perspective on those experiences? [11:26]
2. Consider the phrase "those whom you have given me." How does this truth affect your sense of belonging and security in your relationship with Christ? [04:34]
3. Jesus prayed for promises to be fulfilled. What is one promise from God that you are currently praying for, and how can you pray with more confidence knowing that God's promises are sure? [15:30]
4. The gospel is described as the "gospel of the glory of Christ." How can you actively seek to behold and share in Christ's glory in your daily life? [21:08]
5. Meditating on Jesus' character and words helps us grow in admiration and love for Him. What specific practice can you incorporate into your routine to deepen your relationship with Jesus? [19:22]
6. How can the assurance of being wanted by Jesus empower you to face rejection or challenges in your life with greater resilience? [13:59]
7. Identify one aspect of Jesus' character that you admire. How can you emulate this characteristic in your interactions with others this week? [18:29]