John 17:2

DISCOURSE: 1708
CHRIST’S POWER TO GIVE ETERNAL LIFE

John 17:2. Thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

WE have in these words an unbounded prospect from eternity to eternity: they present to our view the commission first given by the Father to the Son; they exhibit the Son in due season pleading that commission, and finally executing it when the world shall be no more: they lead us to contemplate,

I. The power given to Christ—

As God, he possessed all power equally with the Father; but, as Mediator, he received his power from the Father. This power was,

1. Universal in its extent—

[Not only was the material world, with all the brute creation, subject to his will, but man; “power was given him over all flesh.” His enemies are entirely under his controul: he restrains their violence [Note: Psalms 76:10.], defeats their plots [Note: Job 5:12.], and overrules their efforts for the accomplishment of his own eternal counsels [Note: Psalms 2:4.] — — — His friends and people are his more especial care: he watches over them for good continually [Note: Psalms 34:15.], succours them when tempted [Note: Hebrews 2:18.], strengthens them when weak [Note: 2 Corinthians 12:9.], and accomplishes in them all the good pleasure of his goodness [Note: 2 Thessalonians 1:11.] — — —]

2. Infinite in its degree—

[There is nothing beyond the reach of his power. If he chose to annihilate the whole human race, he could effect it in a moment, by a simple act of volition. If, on the contrary, he would change them all into his own divine image, he could as easily create them all anew, as he at first produced them out of nothing. By making use of second causes indeed, he conceals his own agency: but there is nothing done in the whole creation, which does not originate in him, as the only source of wisdom and of strength.]
But we are yet more particularly interested in considering,

II.

The end for which he was invested with it—

The Father gave to Christ an elect people—
[It is worthy of notice, that Christ, in this his intercessory prayer, speaks again and again of those who were “given him” by the Father. And, in truth, if the Father had not given to him a peculiar people, we have no reason to think that any would ever have given themselves to him, since there is not in fallen man either the inclination or the ability to do so [Note: Philippians 2:13.]. They who do yield themselves up to him are “made willing in the day of God’s power [Note: Psalms 110:3.],” and in consequence of their having been “predestinated unto the adoption of children from before the foundation of the world [Note: Ephesians 1:4.].”]

To these “Christ gives eternal life”—
[The life of grace which is begun in their souls, is the gift of Christ [Note: John 4:14; John 6:51.]. The continuance of it is the effect of his continued communications [Note: Colossians 3:3.]. Its consummation also is bestowed by him [Note: John 12:32; John 14:19.] without any merit in us, or any motive in himself, but a concern for his own, and his Father’s glory [Note: John 14:13.]. Life, in every stage of it, both in this world and the next, is entirely his free gift. One is as much indebted to him for it as another: there will not be one in heaven that will not owe his salvation altogether to the merit of his blood, and to the efficacy of his grace.]

And for the accomplishment of this end he both received and exerts his power—
[It would have been to little purpose to have received from the Father an elect people, if he had not been invested also with power to secure them to himself. The Father well knew how many obstacles there would be to their salvation; and therefore he committed all power to his Son, that nothing might resist his will, or prevent the accomplishment of his eternal counsels. Jesus, thus qualified, orders every thing, both in heaven and earth, with an immediate reference to this great design. Events may sometimes appear to oppose his gracious intentions: but, as in a well-constructed watch the seemingly contrary movements all conduce to one end, so every dispensation, whether of providence or of grace, ultimately tends to his glory in our salvation [Note: Romans 8:28.]

Infer—
1.

What madness is it to neglect the Lord Jesus Christ!

[If any man have great preferments in his gift, he is sure to have many courting an interest in his favour. But the Lord Jesus Christ has eternal life to bestow upon us, and yet we can scarcely be induced to ask it at his hands. What strange infatuation! O let us awake from our slumbers, and implore of him the benefits he is so willing to confer.]

2. How great is the security which the Lord’s people enjoy!

[Jesus both possesses and exerts omnipotence in their behalf. What then have they to fear? Let them only secure his aid, and they defy both men and devils. “If he be for them, none can effectually be against them.”]

3. What obligations do we lie under to love and serve the Lord!

[Is Jesus incessantly exerting his almighty power for us, and should not we employ our talents for him? O for a heart duly sensible of his love, and altogether devoted to his service!]