Psalm 146, 147; Ecclus. 43: 1-12(27-33) ; Eph. 4:1-16 ; John 1:1-18
It is not possible to fully comprehend the Trinity. Earthly things cannot truly compare and words cannot convey the mystery. We look to creation and we see things that astound us such as its precision, its beauty, its complexity, its vastness and its detail and we know that the one who created it is worthy of worship and praise. The belief that all things are the way they are because of a purposeful, intentional act on behalf of a creator is cause enough for our worship. The understanding that behind that creative force, power, and genius lies a loving God who took on flesh, became part of the painting as it were, in order to redeem those in the painting to take us into His world is mind-boggling. The further reality that in doing so He gave us not only the breath of life but of His Spirit so that we might, even in this life partake of the divine life should bring us to our knees and make us sing. Indeed, “Glorify the Lord and exalt him as much as you can, for he surpasses even that. When you exalt him, summon all your strength, and do not grow weary, for you cannot praise him enough.
The first thing God spoke was “Let there be light.” The result was light but not the light of the sun, moon and stars, but simply light, and John says that the light is Jesus, the first Word of God and the true light that is also the life of man. We have the breath of life but not true, eternal life, until we have the light that is Jesus who is our life. It is a wondrous thing that the Word became flesh and dwelt or tabernacled among us, an incomprehensible reality. In eternity we will dwell with Him and even there John tells us in the Revelation that what He saw was that there is no other light is heaven but the light of the glory of God Himself and the lamp through which that light is shone is Jesus.
Paul urges us here to the unity of fellowship that is the hallmark of the Trinity, the unity to which we are called and the unity for which Jesus prayed in John 17. That unity begins and ends with our unity of confession in Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In that confession of the one in three and the three in one, we dwell in the mystery of the Godhead and as we contemplate and meditate on that great mystery we find ourselves lost in awe and wonder and praise, we begin to abide in the love of God. The church is the company of all faithful believers and we find our unity in our common confession and our desire to know more and to live for Him and with Him and in Him. We are to become those who grow up in every way in Christ who is the head of the body and we see ourselves as His hands, feet, heart, lips and ears to the world, an extension of His own ministry. We are called to the life of God, to join Him in loving relationships with God, one another and the world.
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great Name we praise.
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