THE NATURE OF HIS NAME

The apostle John closes his gospel account by recording the very last discourse Jesus had with his disciples. John recounts the prayer Jesus prayed to the Father after revealing intimate insights to the disciples about sharing the life of God. He prays that they (and we) will know in fullness the joy of sharing his very life. Jesus relates that he has made known to them how he was sent from the Father, how he revealed the true nature of the Father, and how he has kept them in the Father’s name. He asks the Father to continue to keep them in his name as they embrace the full meaning of being loved completely as humans who share eternal life. It is noteworthy that his prayer is not about them behaving better or being more religious. He wants them to know what it’s like to be “loved humans.” The human experience proves that a focus on simply behaving better, though perhaps temporarily satisfying, does not transform anyone.