The Most Holy Trinity (Cycle B)

The tie in between today’s readings: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost

Psalm 33:4-9;18-22, Deuteronomy 4:32-40, Romans 8:14-17, Matthew 28:16-20

All of scripture is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. But hidden beneath the surface readings are deeper layers of revelation. The prophesies in the Psalms and the analogy between God’s command for Abraham to offer up Isaac and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross are easy examples. Probably the strangest of these profound realities is the doctrine of the Triune God. There are no flat-out statements on the Trinity to draw from. In fact, in many places the Bible insists that the Lord God is a one and only. Many people and all religions reject the idea of the Trinity all together. Who can blame them? The whole thing is so counter intuitive; bordering on ludicrous. But still, the undeniability of this dogma is there; sprinkled throughout the pages of scripture. A hint here, a statement there, a well-placed metaphor, they all lead us step by step into this unfathomable mystery, as we will see in today’s readings.

In Deuteronomy 4:32-40, Moses goes to great lengths to encourage God’s chosen to love and obey the Lord as they prepare to enter Canaan. He reminds them of the Almighty’s power that delivered them from slavery. From the beginning of the Exodus, the unseen Trinity manifested in the burning bush. Later, we see the Father judging Egypt with ten plagues, the Son, as the Passover lamb, protecting the first born Hebrews, and The Spirit, as the wind, parting the Red Sea for their escape and the consequential destruction of Pharaoh’s army. In the desert, Moses insists that their victories in battle over stronger and larger nations was the Lord’s doing as He cleared the way for them to claim their inheritance. While they traveled, the Trinity was present with them in the ark (Father), through the manna (Son), and by the pillar of fire (Holy Spirit). The Lord is their protector, provider, and…jealous lover. Because of this love, the one and only true God of heaven will bring them to their happily ever after in the Promised Land. So, here in the Exodus sojourn, inklings of the Trinity show up in hidden pictures. Things get a little clearer as we move to the gospels.

The Trinity shines like a neon sign in today’s reading in Matthew 28:16-20. In these few verses Jesus accepts worship from the disciples and claims all authority in heaven and on earth. These attributes belong solely to the Almighty, Himself.  He gives them the Great Commission to go into the world and make disciples, baptizing them in the name (not names) of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. This singular name for three persons screams Trinity. Not only that, the “I am with you always even to the end of the age” doesn’t hurt the Christ is God angle either. As the Trinity goes, it’s not too difficult to pick out the Father and the Son are God verses in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit as God is a little harder to see. Fortunately, our reading in Romans 8:14-17 clears things up a bit as it spotlights the Holy Spirit’s action in a believer’s salvation, a role that only God can perform.

Contrary to popular opinion, not everyone is a child of God. Only those in Christ can make that claim. It is the Holy Spirit that regenerates us into born again children of the Lord; truly a God thing.  To the reborn, the Spirit takes away the fear of God’s judgement. He confers a “knowing” to us in our inner spirit that we are truly His adopted kids. With that inner testimony of The Holy Spirit, we can boldly enter into the throne room of grace, sit on the Almighty’s knee, and call Him “Daddy”! This is a privileged relationship and our connection to the Trinity as fellow heirs with Christ. The Apostle Paul concludes our reading with the phrase:

“…if we indeed suffer with Him so that we may be glorified with Him.”

Well, of course…when you are a true child of God there is always a family resemblance.

Suffering is unwanted. In fact, the root cause of many sins is the avoidance of suffering. However, it is very necessary for godliness. The Lord uses it to prune, test, and disciple us in order to develop a “Christ-likeness” within and draw us into a deeper connection with the Godhead. We accept and endure suffering because we believe it always has that beneficial purpose in mind. This leads us to THE most fundamental aspect of the Trinity: relationship.

The whole thrust of one God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is entirely relational. Our reading in Psalm 33:4-5 is a good example as the Lord acts harmoniously in love. Digging deeper, in verse 9, God exhibit’s His cooperative action in creation. Other verses, however, make it clearer.

Yet you, Lord, are our Father.
    We are the clay, you are the potter;
    we are all the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:8)

 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15-17)

The Spirit of God has made me;
    the breath of the Almighty gives me life. (Job 33:4)

The amazing part of our reading, (Psalm 33:18-22), is that this God wants to have a relationship with us! Making the universe was easy enough for the Almighty, it only took six days of “Let there Be’s”.  Adopting us as His children…now that was much harder. It cost God everything and the Lord did not hesitate to take it on. Before He spoke anything into existence, it was decided that the Holy Spirit would renew a fallen sinner through faith in the sacrifice of the Son and redeem that lost soul back to the Father.

So, here’s the question, are you and God in a relationship? If not, come to the cross. Find forgiveness of your sins by faith in the sacrifice of Jesus, the Son. Receive new life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Become a true child of the Father and fellow heir with Christ. If you have strayed from the faith: confess, repent, pick up your cross, and carry on. The one…the only…true God and Father will grant you grace by His Holy Spirit to finish your course so you may live and reign with His Son forever. Join God’s family. Let the Lord display His nature in you. Be in a relationship. It’s not good for you to be alone.