I've always found this verse interesting.

Why do I find it so interesting?  Because it flies in the face of the image that many have of Jesus.  Many people seem to think that Jesus is this all loving, kumbaya singing, hand holding guy who will love on everyone no matter what. 

Contrast that with what Jesus Himself said.

 

John 17:9-10(NKJV)

“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 

And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 

 

Isn't that interesting.  Jesus flat out says that the only ones He is praying for are those who have come to God through Jesus. 

Jesus isn't prying for the Muslims.  Jesus isn't praying for the Hindu's.  Jesus isn't praying for the Hari Krishna's, and He isn't praying for the heathens.  Jesus is investing His prayer time into those who matter most to Him.  Hmm.  Interesting.

But what about the unsaved?  Isn't He praying for the unsaved? 

 

Not according to this verse.  He is still bringing His message to the unsaved and doing everything He can to save them but according to this verse the unsaved don't get the favor of Jesus praying for them until they are saved.

That's a little different then the usual perception isn't it? 

But what about love your enemies? 

 

What about it? 

 

How can you love your enemies if you aren't praying for them? 

Hmm, I don't know.  Based on the tone of the question, are you suggesting that Jesus doesn't love His enemies if He doesn't pray for them? 

Maybe the thing to do is ask Jesus.  Have a conversation with Him.  "Dear Jesus….."

 

What is eternal life?

Jesus came to give us eternal life.  Most of us think that means we will live forever. 

 

Does it?

 

Here is the definition of eternal life, straight from Jesus' mouth.

 

John 17:1-3(NKJV)

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 

as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 

 

Now in other places Jesus does tell us He has prepared for us a place to stay and so on, but as far as eternal life goes, this is what is the essence of eternal life in the words of Jesus: 

Knowing God and Jesus!

Do you know God and Jesus?  If not, why not start with a simple conversation with Jesus?  "Dear Jesus…."

 

Is it a free choice or is it actually a sin? Hmm?

 

Here is the question.  Is it simply free choice not to believe in Jesus or is it actually a sin not to believe in Jesus?

 

When I first pondered this I came down on the side of not a sin.  If you didn't believe in Jesus then by choice you were going to hell but it was still simply a choice.

 

But then I read this.

 

John 16:5-11(NKJV)

“But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 

But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 

Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 

And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 

of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 

of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 

of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

 

Hmm, if anyone but Jesus had said this I might discount it but when the words come straight from Jesus I've got to accept it.

 

It still didn't "feel right" but I can understand the logic.