Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Matthew 28:16-20

Almost all of the days we celebrate in the church are connected in some way to Jesus; we celebrate his birth on Christmas, his resurrection on Easter; and his ascension on Ascension Sunday. And Pentecost, though it does not celebrate an event in Jesus’ life is based on a historical event. However, there is one day that is not based on an event, but on an idea and that day is today, Trinity Sunday. Today we will take a few moments to consider the nature of God; consider the proclamation that God is One and God is Three – God in three persons, blessed trinity.

The nature of God is clearly beyond our understanding; it is something that God has chosen to reveal to us over the centuries. I think we all know that many ancient civilizations believed in a pantheon of gods – a sun god, a storm god, a fertility god and so forth. However, the Hebrew people, beginning with Abraham, were different; they believed in one God who reigned over all things. Their belief can be summarized in one verse: “Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one.” Through their entire history the Children of Abraham held fast to their one God and rejected all the false gods and idols of the surrounding people.

Then something happened. A man came from Nazareth in Galilee proclaiming, “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news.” Whatever we might say about Jesus, one thing is clear – Jesus is more than a “man from Nazareth.” Unlike the scribes and Pharisees he taught with the power and authority of God. He calmed the storms with a word; he healed the sick; and, he raised the dead. And, then after he had been crucified, dead, and buried, Jesus arose again on the third day. Clearly, Jesus was more, more than a man from Nazareth; but, how much more?

Then something happened. Just a few days after Jesus’ ascension his followers were filled with the wind and fire from God. They were given power from on high and sent to the proclaim the Good News to the ends of the earth. Clearly, these first disciples had an experience from God; an experience they did not fully understand but one that prepared them for the mission God had set before them.

Over time, Jesus’ followers began to reflect on their experiences and what the experiences said about the nature and reality of God. They saw God at work in the creation of all that is; they saw God at work in history when he guided his children out of bondage in Egypt. And, they also saw God at work in the life and ministry of Jesus, especially, they saw God at work in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. And, they saw God at work in the miracle of Pentecost where God gave birth to the Church. They knew that God was the source of all creation; they knew God was the source of all redemption; and, they knew God was the power that sustained their lives. But, they also knew that there was a diversity in their experiences. They knew Jesus related to God as an only begotten Son relates to his Father. They also felt that Pentecost was a new expression of God’s will in the world. And, they began to realize that through the experiences of Jesus and Pentecost that God was revealing something about the nature of God: God is One and God is Three. The One we worship as God is revealed to us in Three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Every time I try to think about the Trinity I feel like I am trying to “square the circle;” One cannot be three and three cannot be one. What has become apparent to me over the years is that the Trinity cannot be truly understood by logical means, though reason and logic can help us bring together the evidence that points to a reality beyond our senses. In the end, the Trinity is a mystery that helps us understand how God works in the world but does not explain the full essence of who God is.

One thing that helps me understand the Trinity is to see God as One in Purpose; One in Will and One in Love; each revealed by each Person in unique and different ways.

God’s One Purpose for humanity is reconciliation; to bring us back into harmony with God after our sinful rebellion. As Father, God works to make this possible by the Law that shows us the way to love and please God. As Son, God works to remove the barriers created by our sin and offer us mercy and forgiveness. As Holy Spirit, God’s grace works in us so we have to power to accepts God’s forgiveness and follow God’s commandments.

God’s One Will is for all to be saved and return to God’s loving embrace. As Father, God’s will is revealed in his decision to give Jesus to the world so we might see God more clearly. As Son, God’s will is revealed in Jesus’ obedience, “obedient to death – even death on a cross!” As Holy Spirit, God’s will is revealed in continued presence that sustains us and draws us ever closer to God.

God’s One Love is to gather all his children together in his heavenly home. As Father, God’s love was first revealed after we ate of the fruit in the Garden of Eden; on that day God began wooing us back into his love. As Son, God’s love is supremely revealed in the Cross where Jesus gave his life so we might be reconciled with God. As Holy Spirit, God’s love is revealed in the gifts he showers on us; gifts that sustain our bodies and gifts that sustain and magnify our spirits.

As Christians we live in inside a mystery; we love our God who is supremely One: One in Purpose, One in Will and One in Love. And, we love our God who is supremely Three: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Today, I would like to close with the words of the Nicaean Creed (page 880) and proclaim our faith in One God revealed in Three Persons.

Amen.

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