 In
John 17 we have the transcript of a prayer of Christ. He was already
standing in the shadow of the cross, yet His burden is for His
disciples. In this touching prayer, rich with meaning, Christ gave a
lesson which should be engraved on the mind and the soul.
“This is life eternal,” He said, “that they might know Thee the
only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” John 17:3.
This is true education. It imparts power. The experimental knowledge
of God and of Jesus Christ whom He has sent, transforms man into the
image of God. It gives to man the mastery of himself, bringing every
impulse and passion of the lower nature under the control of the higher
powers of the mind. It makes its possessor a son of God and an heir of
heaven. It brings him into communion with the mind of the Infinite, and
opens to him the rich treasures of the universe.
This is the knowledge which is obtained by searching the word of God.
And this treasure may be found by every soul who will give all to obtain
it.
If thou criest after knowledge, and
liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver,
and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand
the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:3-5.
Human beings are infatuated with knowledge. Some spend years on an
education; others find out everything there is to know about sports and
can tell you every statistic. Others study all about cars and can tell
you the smallest differences in the different years and models, while
still others know all the movie stars and the intricate details of their
personal lives. But what is the value of such knowledge? How can it
compare with a knowledge that will enable us to obtain eternal life |
