When I think of verses that talk about the preexistence of Christ, I normally think of John 1:1 where it says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word, was God.” This is a strong statement of the truth that Jesus existed before creation, was in fact relationally connected to the Father and is Himself God.

Reading today, I was also impressed with an equally strong statement of the preexistence of Christ in John 17:5 which says,

“And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”

John could not have stated the prior existence of Jesus much clearer. Jesus was with the Father before anything was created! The ESV Study Bible has a great summary of this verse. It says,

“Jesus again claims that he existed before the world existed…This implies that the material universe is not eternal but was brought into being by God. Before that, nothing material existed. But God existed eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and here Jesus speaks of a sharing of glory between the Father and the Son prior to creation, implying that there was mutual giving of honor in the interpersonal relationships of the Trinity from all eternity.

It is hard to comprehend the triune God existing in fellowship and fully content with their relationship prior to creation. Then the world is created and man is made in His image so that we could have a relationship with this eternal God! Amazing!

Father, thank you for creating all things and for making us in a way that we reflect your image and in a way that allows us to know you. Help me to keep you the number one priority in my life.

Following Jesus with you,

Jeff