Daily devotion – The Father’s gift to His Son.
Devotional: God’s Precious Gift
John 17:4 – “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”
When Jesus said these words, He was speaking of His completed mission—the preaching of repentance, the miracles He performed, the training of His disciples, and most of all, His willing sacrifice on the Cross.
It is because of this finished work that we as believers now enjoy the gift of eternal life, as Jesus affirms in John 17:2–3.
Something else remarkable happens in this sacred prayer of Christ in John 17—the word “give” appears in various forms at least seven times. Over and over again, Jesus declares that we, His followers, are the Father’s gift to Him:
(See verses 2, 6, 9, 11–12, and 24.)
We’re used to thinking of Jesus as the Father’s love gift to us—“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” (John 3:16)—but here, Jesus flips the perspective: you are the Father’s love gift to His Son.
That should give you great assurance and confidence in your salvation. You are not disposable. You are deeply cherished by the Father, and your life is a precious gift placed in the hands of His beloved Son.
Think about this: if you’ve ever created or purchased a gift for someone you love, you’ve likely taken care to protect and treasure that gift, because it carries meaning far beyond the object itself. How much more must the Son of God treasure what His Father has entrusted to Him?
As Palm Sunday draws near, and as we gather this Wednesday to study the Word in Colossians and unite in prayer, let’s do so with hearts full of gratitude and awe.
Parents—this is a sacred time. Guide your children gently into the wonder of Christ’s suffering and resurrection.
Husbands and wives—set aside time together to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice. Ask God to soften your hearts toward Him and one another, that your relationship may reflect His glory.
We are entering the most powerful season in the Christian calendar. Let’s walk through it not as passive observers, but as active participants in the body of Christ—eager to glorify Him who gave everything for us.