All That the Father Gives to the Son

In the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, the Father predestined some of humanity to adoption as sons (Acts 2:23; Eph 1:5). With a motive of love, the Father gave His chosen people to God the Son before creation (Jn 3:35; 6:39; 17:2, 6, 24; 18:9; 2 Tim 1:9). He wrote the names of His elect in the Lamb’s book of life before the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8; 17:8; 21:27).

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who took on flesh and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14). He was like us, yet without sin (Heb 4:15). As the One who fulfilled the Law and all righteousness, Jesus alone qualified as the unblemished Lamb of God (Jn 1:29), who bore our sins in His body on the cross (1 Pet 2:24). He who knew no sin became sin for us (2 Cor 5:21). He was lifted up (1 Cor 15:3–4), crucified, died, and was buried.

The death of Christ ransomed the captive slaves to sin (Mt 20:28; Mk 10:45; Rom 6:6). The blood of Jesus shed on Calvary’s tree, released His people from their sins (Rev 1:5). In this, the Father delivered us from the domain of darkness and into the kingdom of His beloved Son (Col 1:13). Jesus saved us from the wrath of God both temporal and eternal (Rom 3:25; 1 Thess 1:10; Heb 2:17; 1 Jn 2:2; 4:10); for the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (Rom 1:18). Simply put, Jesus, our God and Savior (Titus 1:4; 2:13; 2 Pet 1:1), saved us from eternal punishment in the fiery hell of the lake of fire (Mt 25:41, 46; Titus 3:5; Jude 7; Rev 20:14–15; 21:8).

It was God’s sovereign and gracious choice to save the people upon whom He set His love (Rom 11:5–6); and it was Jesus who demonstrated His love in laying down His life (Jn 10:11, 15; Rom 5:8). Jesus’ substitutionary atonement was a particular and eternal redemption (Ps 111:9; Lk 1:68; Rom 3:24; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14). The Lord knows those who are His (2 Tim 2:19); and Jesus gave Himself for His beloved bride (Eph 5:21–32), His church (Mt 16:18), the Israel of God (Gal 6:16).

Christ died for us, the Just for the unjust (1 Pet 3:18). Jesus Christ is the righteous one of God (1 Jn 2:1); and all who are in Him have His righteousness imputed to them (1 Cor 1:30; 2 Cor 5:21). He took the sins of His people upon Himself at the cross; and paying for our crimes, our entire debt of sin was cancelled (Col 2:14). It was for freedom that Christ set us free (Gal 5:1); and in Christ, we are free indeed.

All that the Father gives to the Son shall come to Him (Jn 6:37) because it is the Father who draws (Gk. elkuse = drags) them to Christ (Jn 6:44, 65), who in no wise will ever cast them out (Jn 6:37b), for the promise is that He will never leave them nor forsake them (Heb 13:8). In this, the Father and the Son send the token of their love, that is, the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 5:5).

Just as the Father sent the Son (Jn 3:16), so the Father and Son send the Spirit of adoption into our hearts (Jn 14:26; 15:26; Rom 8:15, 23), in which we cry out to the Father “Abba”. For He has given us the right to be called “children of God” (1 Jn 3:1, 10). And if we are children then we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17; Gal 4:7).

The inheritance bequeathed to God’s elect, redeemed, regenerate, believing people is called, “eternal life” (Jn 17:2; 1 Pet 1:4). Those who inherit salvation are given life (Jn 6:63; Heb 1:14), that is, the life of God in their souls. It is new life; for the born again of God are new creatures in Christ (2 Cor 5:17), Jesus called this “abundant life” (Jn 10:10) because it is the victorious life for those who follow Christ in His triumph over sin, death, the devil, and the world system (Jn 16:32–33; 2 Cor 2:14).

As the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus shepherds His flock in this present evil age (Ps 23; Jn 10; 14:6; Gal 1:4). His Spirit leads and guides us into all truth (Jn 16:13). God’s Word, the Holy Bible, is the truth by which we are sanctified (Jn 17:17), that is, made holy as He is holy (1 Pet 1:15–16). This is the work of the sanctifying spirit who permanently indwells those to whom He is sent (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11; 1 Pet 1:2).

Baptizing the elect, redeemed produces new affections in those made alive by the Spirit of Christ (Eph 2:5). Desiring God means learning Christ (2 Pet 3:18), who is the wisdom and power of God (1 Cor 1:24) Knowing God is eternal life manifesting in the saints (Jn 17:3), who rejoice in so great a salvation (Heb 2:3), for which they are not ashamed because the power of God is at work within them (Rom 1:16–17; Col 1:29).

The Christian life is a Spirit-filled life of bearing witness of Christ (Acts 1:8). As ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20), we build up our brethren, who make up God’s embassy in the world, Christ’s church (Mt 16:18). Like a city set on a hill in the dark of night (Mt 5:14), our collective light shines for all to see the better King of a better kingdom. We proclaim Him, calling all to repent and turn to Him in faith (Col 1:28; Acts 17:30).

As Christians grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18), we are more and more equipped as approved workmen, who are not ashamed of Him (2 Tim 2:15), who finished His work on earth (Jn 19:30) and who ascended into heaven to be enthroned at the right hand of majesty (Heb 1:3; 8:1), to rule and reign with all authority in heaven and on earth (Mt 28:18).

On the appointed day, soon to come, all that the Father gave to the Son (Jn 17:2, 6, 24; 2 Tim 1:9), who came forth to save (Mt 1:21), and who received the Spirit (Jn 1:12–13; Acts 2:33, 38), will be resurrected to life at His second coming (Jn 5:28–29; 1 Cor 15). Together, the redeemed of the Lord will be caught up together with Him in the air at His coming (1 Thess 4:13–5:11). We shall see Him face to face (Rev 22:4), as He wipes away every tear (Is 25:8; Rev 7:17; 21:4). We will always be with Christ in the eternal dwelling place; His Father’s house; in the New Jerusalem (Jn 14:2–3; 1 Thess 4:17; Rev 21–22).

He who began the good work of electing us (Eph 1:4–5); who gave us to His Beloved Son. He who began the good work of redeeming us. He who began the good work of regenerating us (1 Pet 1:3) …will bring it all to its perfect completion (Phil 1:6). To God be the glory, great things He has done.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

October 20, 2024

John 17:2b