John 17:3-"And this is eternal life, that they may KNOW You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You sent."
The word "Know" here is ginosko in the Greek, it's a relationship word, one which ends in intimacy. It is used in Luke 1:34 as Mary responds to the Angel's statement that she will have a child, "How can this be, since I do not KNOW (ginosko) a man."
Wow!! Jn. 17:3 defines Eternal Life as KNOWING God and Jesus in the deepest most intimate way possible, it's not only living forever, it's living forever in continuous intimate union with God, and Jesus. Look at Jn. 17:21-Jesus speaking -"that they all may be one, as You; Father, are in Me, and I in You; that THEY (you and me), ALSO may be ONE in Us..." Being absorbed in God, is God's ultimate desired end for us. Cat.796.
Also, in John 17:23--And that the world may know that you (Father) sent me (Jesus) and have loved them as you loved me.
Wow!! Gods loves us as much as He loves Jesus. There will come a time for each of us that the knowledge of the Father will need to go from belief to encounter to become intimate. Just like natural human love that needs touch to express itself, our spirit needs to be open to a God touch allowing Gods love to transfer from His heart to ours. Knowing that God loves us is good, and is ever present, but this God touch makes it personal.
Holy Spirit I turn my gaze and open my heart to you today!!
What do we do with this? As individual members of Christ's Body, we are to become ONE WITH HIM. I don't know about you, but I am going to let God draw me deeper into this eternal love life (Jn.6:40).
