Title: God's Four Wishes
Gospel of John (98) God's four wishes (John 17:9-13)
1. to be glorified
Just as man has a wish, God also has an earnest wish that He wants to be fulfilled through His children. The first wish is “to receive glory from the saints” (verses 9-10). The primary purpose of a believer's life is to glorify God and reveal God. Why are some events given? It is meant to reveal and glorify the existence of God through that event. God wants to reveal the existence of God through every event.
The Bible sometimes says, “Know that I am the Lord!” Those words are the source of ultimate victory. Know God and be sure that God lives. God is the Almighty God of love, working together for good and making sure that you reap what you sow. Always live by hearing the voice of “Know that I am Jehovah!” The most blessed life unfolds when we know God, acknowledge God's existence, and give glory to God.
2. Being one
God wants believers to become one (verse 11). To what extent do you want to be one? While interceding for the disciples, the Lord said, “May we be one as we are.” I want to be one to that extent, just as the Father and the Son are one. In order to become one like that, your heart must be caught up in the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 4:23 says this. “More than anything else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” The mind is the source of life. If you have a broad mind, the infinite power of life will come out. So, broaden your mind, understand and acknowledge each other's differences, and live cool. 'Something else' is not 'wrong'. When you don't get angry in front of small differences, you will be given the wisdom of victory, and eventually you will win.
3. Things that do not perish
As prophesied in the Bible, Jesus says that he does not want any of his disciples to perish except for Judas Iscariot, who went on the path of his own destruction (verse 12). The Lord's wish is still valid today. Difficulties come even for sincere believers. God's grace is given as a 'power to overcome tribulation' rather than as a 'privilege of tribulation immunity'. So, no matter what trials you face, do not be afraid.
Why do fears arise? It's not because the problem is big, but because I can't see the Lord who is by my side. Ultimately, to fear is to commit the sin of unbelief. If you are afraid, the things you fear will happen; if you are not afraid, those fears will soon disappear. No matter how difficult trials are, if the Lord is with us, we can overcome them.
4. Having joy
The Lord, who lived a life full of joy, wanted his disciples to pass on that joy (verse 13). Always rejoice and please others. Also, always smile and make others laugh. In order to live an influential life, you need ‘tears and laughter’. First, there must be tears. The life of a narrow door foreshadows tears. Without tears, you cannot follow the Lord. In particular, the tears we shed in front of God in the closet of prayer are more important than the tears we shed in front of others. Those tears move people, move families, and move the world.
Along with tears, there must also be laughter. After you cry in your closet, be happy in front of people and put a smile on your face and words. That way you can move people's hearts. A leader must know how to make the sheep laugh. Instead of making you laugh with words like a comedian, you should give them a laugh by overflowing with joy and words within you. If you have the talent to be funny, many people will follow you.
Some people always laugh, so people around you say. “Master! Do you practice smiling in the mirror every day?” But you don't need to practice how to smile. Just “rejoice always, pray without ceasing. Give thanks in everything.” If you live positively as the saying goes, your face will overflow with laughter. The saints must be able to listen to these words. “Saint! Just looking at your face is a blessing.” Be blessed hearts that satisfy God with such humility of laughter and tears.