“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am.” John 17:24 (NIV)
Jesus was going to the cross when He said this, and He told the Father that this was what He wanted!
Charles Spurgeon says, “The Lord Jesus is making his last will and testament… [and it] will assuredly be carried out… for this cause, that though he died, and thus made his will valid, yet he lives again to be his own executor, and to carry out his will.” Here’s your first assurance of heaven—Christ wants you there.
On the same day, Jesus also prayed another prayer using the same word: “I will [thelo] that those you have given me be with me.” Then He says, “If it be possible let this cup pass from me, but not what I will [same word, thelo], but your will be done” (Mat. 26:39). Christ accomplishes His will for us by submitting His own will to the will of the Father. Your assurance of heaven is that the Son of God wants you there, and He has gone to the cross to bring you there.
We also see here the love of the Father for the Son: “You loved me before the creation of the world” (John 17:24). The Father glorifies the Son because of the Father’s love for the Son. The Father’s love for the Son is the ground and assurance of His love for us. Why will we be in heaven one day? For the glory of the Son of God.
How do you respond to Jesus’ words from John 17?
