Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 17:24

"Father, I desire that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." — John 17:24 (ASV)

Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world.

This is Christ's last will and testament: "Father, I will." It is not merely his prayer, but he makes this as one clause in his will, that all whom the Father gave him should be with him to behold his glory.

And it will be so, beloved. He will not lose one of his own. He will never drop from that dear pierced hand any portion of the eternal gift of his Father.

Father, I will that they also, whom you have given me, be with me where I am: that they may behold my glory, which you have given me: for then you loved me before the foundation of the world.

He will not be in glory, and leave me behind him. He is a bridegroom that cannot be satisfied unless his bride be a partaker of all his joy. He is so one with us, that as the head can never be content to be crowned, and the rest of the body be disgraced, so neither could Christ. We must be, if he wills it, where he is. We must behold his glory; we must share it.

Father, I will that they also whom you have given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which you have given me: for you loved me before the foundation of the world.

Some foolish people talk about the saints being put away for a while into some purgatorial "limbo" so that they may be made ready for heaven, but Christ does not speak this way; he says, I will that they be with me where I am. We do not care to answer curious questions about the disembodied state; it is enough for us that Christ knows all, and that we will be with him forever.

What will be the occupation of those who are with Christ?

That they may behold my glory. There will be something worth looking at, something to be delighted with forever and ever: the glory which you have given me: for you loved me before the foundation of the world.

So God must have loved his people before the foundation of the world, for he has loved them as he has loved his Son. There was no beginning and there will be no end to the Father's love for his people; he says to each one of them, I have loved you, with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn you. Here are waters to swim in; plunge into them, and revel in the bliss they are meant to convey to all who are in Christ Jesus.