John 17: These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Jesus on His way to the Garden of Gethsemane where He knew that His betrayal, His persecution, and His death on the cross were imminent. He had known since before creation that this day would come. He along side the Father and the Holy Spirit had created man that they might share the love, the glory, and the joy that was theirs with someone. That joy could not be fully realized if they did not allow freewill. Omniscience had known that man would choose the creation over the creator; yet, they knew that would be a people who would choose to accept the gift of salvation. All of the years that had passed from the moment of creation to the cross; God had provided a way of salvation through symbolic sacrifice. That Salvation was to be provided by the death, burial and resurrection of His son. Christ would have to bare the full wrath that perfect righteousness would demand so that Justice would be fulfilled; that would be the only way that man would be able to regain a relationship with their Righteous, Holy Creator. With that relationship, man’s heart is left empty; no hope and no lasting joy could be found. The hour was approaching and a humble servant was about to obey the will of the Father; yet, He had a compassionate prayer for all that would believe. He began that prayer by restating His purpose that was to give eternal life to all that would believe so that they might know the only true God and Christ with intimacy, no doubts, no fears, and no turning back. This was their only hope of Joy, Love, Light and Life. What a compassionate Savior we have, unselfish and giving; willing to take our place. Do You Know this Savior?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQhLa7TPoR8