How does Jesus describe eternal life in John 17:3?

In John 17:3, Jesus provides a profound and illuminating description of eternal life. This verse is part of what is often referred to as the "High Priestly Prayer" of Jesus, a prayer that He offered to the Father just before His arrest and subsequent crucifixion. In this prayer, Jesus speaks with deep intimacy and clarity about His mission and the relationship between the Father, Himself, and His followers. John 17:3 states:

"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (ESV)

This statement is both simple and profound, encapsulating the essence of eternal life in knowing God and Jesus Christ. Let's unpack this verse to understand the depth of what Jesus is communicating.

Eternal Life as Knowledge of God

Firstly, Jesus defines eternal life not merely as an unending existence but as a relational knowledge of God. The Greek word used for "know" in this context is "γινώσκω" (ginōskō), which implies a deep, intimate, and experiential knowledge. It is the same word used to describe the intimate relationship between a husband and wife. Therefore, Jesus is emphasizing that eternal life is about entering into a profound, personal, and experiential relationship with God.

This is a significant departure from many contemporary and historical understandings of eternal life, which often focus on duration rather than quality. Jesus shifts the focus from the quantity of life (everlasting duration) to the quality of life (intimate relationship with God). This relational knowledge is not just intellectual assent but involves a deep, personal engagement with the divine.

The Only True God

Jesus specifies that eternal life is knowing "the only true God." This phrase underscores the exclusivity and uniqueness of God. In a world filled with various deities and spiritual beliefs, Jesus affirms that there is only one true God. This assertion is deeply rooted in Jewish monotheism, as seen in the Shema from Deuteronomy 6:4: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one."

By emphasizing the "only true God," Jesus is calling His followers to a relationship with the God who is the source of all truth and reality. This God is not one among many but the singular, ultimate reality. This exclusivity is not meant to be a barrier but an invitation to know the one true source of life and being.

Jesus Christ Whom You Have Sent

The second part of the verse, "and Jesus Christ whom you have sent," ties the knowledge of God directly to the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the revelation of God to humanity. As John 1:18 states, "No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known." Jesus is the incarnate Word, the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).

To know Jesus Christ is to know God. Jesus is not merely a prophet or a teacher; He is the sent one, the Messiah, the Son of God. His life, death, and resurrection are the ultimate revelation of God's character, love, and purpose. As Jesus Himself says in John 14:9, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father."

The Implications for Believers

Understanding eternal life as a relationship with God through Jesus Christ has profound implications for believers. It means that eternal life begins now, not just after physical death. When a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ, they enter into this eternal relationship. As Jesus says in John 5:24, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment but has passed from death to life."

This relationship is transformative. Knowing God and Jesus Christ changes how we live, think, and interact with the world. It brings a new perspective, purpose, and hope. It is a life characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). It is a life lived in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in this relationship. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as a helper and guide for His followers. In John 14:16-17, He says, "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you."

The Holy Spirit enables believers to know God more deeply and to live out the eternal life that Jesus describes. The Spirit teaches, reminds, convicts, and empowers believers to live in accordance with God's will. Through the Holy Spirit, the relationship with God becomes vibrant and dynamic.

The Community of Believers

Eternal life is also experienced in the context of the community of believers. The New Testament frequently emphasizes the communal aspect of the Christian faith. In John 17, Jesus prays not only for His immediate disciples but also for all who will believe in Him through their message (John 17:20). He prays for their unity, that they may be one as He and the Father are one (John 17:21-23).

This unity reflects the relational nature of eternal life. Believers are called to live in loving, supportive, and accountable relationships with one another. The church, as the body of Christ, is the tangible expression of this eternal life on earth. Through fellowship, worship, service, and mission, believers grow in their knowledge of God and Jesus Christ.

The Mission of Eternal Life

Finally, understanding eternal life as knowing God and Jesus Christ has missional implications. Jesus' prayer in John 17 includes a strong emphasis on mission. He says, "As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world" (John 17:18). The knowledge of God and Jesus Christ is not meant to be kept to oneself but to be shared with others.

Believers are called to be witnesses to the life-transforming power of the gospel. This involves both proclamation and demonstration. Through words and actions, believers are to make known the love, grace, and truth of God. The mission of the church is to invite others into this eternal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

In John 17:3, Jesus provides a rich and multifaceted description of eternal life. It is a life characterized by an intimate, personal, and experiential knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. This relationship begins now and continues into eternity, transforming individuals and communities. It is a life empowered by the Holy Spirit, lived in the context of the community of believers, and driven by the mission to make God's love known to the world. Through this understanding, believers are invited to experience the fullness of life that Jesus offers, both now and forever.