You Complete Me

CONSIDER 

A net so filled with fish that it couldn’t take anymore. Valleys filled so full the ground becomes level ground. The smell of perfume filling a room so much that it covers every inch of the space.  

The original Greek word for “filled” used in these verses is the same word used in John 17:13. That means Jesus is praying that his disciples would be filled with his joy in the same way – to the fullest extent of what is possible.  

Some translations have John 17:13 as “complete,” and to be fair, the same Greek word is translated that way sometimes. As a matter of fact, it is translated that way three times in John’s gospel (John 3:29, 15:11, 16:24).  

We tend to think of “complete” as meaning “finished” or “done.” Like when we complete a task, a chore, a level on a video game, a puzzle, a class...complete means you can move on to the next thing...but not here.  

Complete means there is nothing lacking. It’s complete like that iconic Tom Cruise line from Jerry Maguire, “You complete me.” Like, “something has been missing and now that I found what’s been missing...I am complete.”  

That’s what Jesus is talking about. That’s the point of his teaching, preaching, leading, healing, compassion, mercy, grace, and love...to so totally fill his disciples that they are complete.  

REFLECT 

Is there any part of your life that is not filled to the fullness of what’s possible? Another way to ask the same question is, are you longing for anything? Maybe it’s peace, rest, hope, or fulfillment/satisfaction. Maybe it’s related to how you see yourself, the state of your relationships with others, maybe even your relationship with God.  

Only Jesus can fill you to the fullest measure. Talk to him about it.  

PRAY