The Meaning of Life is for God to Know You and for you to Know God

John 17: 1-11

Seventh Sunday of Easter

Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ amen.  The sermon text for the seventh Sunday of Easter is the Gospel reading John 17.  What is the meaning of life?  That is a question that philosophers have been asking for ages.  But philosophes are not the only group that has asked that question. It is a question that most human beings have asked.  What is the meaning of life?  Some people ask that question because they are curious.  Others ask the question because they have become cynical about the world.  Some ask that question because they are experiencing serious problems in their life. Still others ask that question because they sense that their life is not complete, they sense emptiness inside. Every person will have to come to grips with that question when they face death. 

What is the meaning of life? People have searched for that answer in a number of ways.  Some people think that the meaning of life is based upon wealth.  They believe that life revolves around how much money you make. Others think that the meaning of life can be found in work.  They believe that work is the most important undertaking a person can do.  Some people think that that the meaning of life can be found in knowledge.  They believe that knowledge can bring complete understanding.  Still others think that the meaning of life can be found in indulging ourselves with entertainment.  They believe that the more distractions you can find the better your life can be.

Most people try to find the meaning of life by looking at all the things that have been mentioned.  The problem is that the meaning of life cannot be found in any of them.  True meaning cannot be found in wealth because large amounts of money will never satisfy us. A person can be blessed with lots of money but it will never be enough.  No matter how much money we might have we will always want more.  No matter how much money we have we will always notice the person who has more.  True meaning cannot be found in work.  Work is a noble task but we also understand that the work we do will eventually fade away.  Work is necessary but there is more to life than just work.  True meaning cannot be found in human knowledge.  Knowledge is a good thing but as we collect it, we realize that we will never know it all.  No matter how smart we are we will never be able to understand everything in the universe.  True meaning cannot be found in hobbies.  We might be able to find a number of distractions that keep us occupied but we will always have the sense that there is more to life than being entertained. Fun distractions are nice but by themselves are quite hollow.  The things that we often look to for meaning can not rescue us from death, forgive sins, or give us peace.  They cannot deliver us from this valley of tears.   

The meaning of life cannot be found in wealth, work, human knowledge and entertainment.  So we go back to our original question.  What is the meaning of life?  Jesus gives us the answer in our text.  Jesus tells us that the meaning of life is for God to know you and for you to know God.  The meaning of life is for God to know you and for you to know God.  Jesus reveals to us who the true God really is.  Here are some of the things that Jesus stated in our text. “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you”.  “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed”.  “Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me that they be one, even as we are one”.  In the verses before chapter seventeen Christ also spoke about the coming of the Holy Spirit. “He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.  All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you”.  What Jesus is describing with these words that I have been reading to you is the Trinity. He is telling us that there is one God in three Persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  It is important to understand who the true God really is in order to understand the meaning of life.

Jesus tells us that the meaning of life is for God to know you and for you to know God.  The meaning of life is centered upon the revelation that God knows you.  The Father in heaven knew that you would come into this world before you were conceived. He knew you when you were in your mother’s womb.  He knew you when you were born.  He knew that you, like everyone else, needed a Savior from sin and death so He sent His Son Jesus Christ to be your Savior.  God knew you at your baptism when He called you by your name and brought you into His kingdom through Jesus Christ.  The Lord knows you right now for He is the one who has given to you His Word. It is the Word of God that sustains and strengthens your faith.  The Lord knows you right now for He is the one who is listening to your prayers.  He is the one who knows what is on your mind. He is the one who is sustaining your life right now.  He is the one who will bring you to heaven.  The meaning of life is centered upon the revelation that God knows you. As a matter of fact He knows you better than you know yourself. 

Jesus tells us that the meaning of life is for God to know you and for you to know God.  God knows you and He wants you to know Him.  Recall what Jesus said in our Gospel reading for today.  “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given Him.  And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent”. 

The meaning of life is for you to know God.  God knows you and He wants you to know Him.  It has been revealed to you that God is your creator and redeemer.  The Father created the heavens and the earth and every living creature.  He also sent His Son into the world to be your Savior.  Jesus the Son of the living God has cleansed you of your sin and given you the gift of eternal life through His death and resurrection.  It has been revealed to you that the Holy Spirit has come to you and created saving faith in your heart.  What is the meaning of life?  The answer is to know God.  Christ wants you to know that His love is greater than sin, death and Satan.  He wants you to know that His grace is greater than any problem that you may face in this world.  He wants you to know that He has overcome the world.  He wants you to know that He will visibly return and bring you to God to live a perfect life with Him forever.

When we understand the meaning of life everything else falls in to place.  Through Jesus Christ we have been given the gifts of life and salvation.  So we are now able to see wealth, work, knowledge and hobbies has they really are, gifts from God.  We are free to use our money to buy what we need but we are also free to use our money for the benefit of others, for the church, our family, and the community. We are now able to see that our work has meaning because it is done to the glory of God and love of neighbor. We are now able to see that true knowledge comes from God.  We see that all good gifts come from His hand.  We now receive these gifts, and we give thanks to Him.  We can look to God through the eyes of faith and see that He will deliver us from every trial and tribulation that we might face.  We can look to the Lord and know that He will bring us to heaven.  What is the meaning of life?  The meaning of life is for God to know you and for you to know God.  Amen.