Genesis
1:1—2:4a - The opening chapter of the
Bible matter-of-factly recounts the creation of the earth, the universe, and
all that is in them in seven days by God. Which person of the Trinity was
responsible for the creation? All three persons! The first three verses alone proclaim
this fact: The Spirit is said to be hovering over the face of the waters, while
God (the Father) speaks—speaks His Word, who is the Son, as St John tells us in
the opening verses of his Gospel. On the sixth day, there is further testament
to the working of the Trinity, when God says, Let Us make man in Our own image, after Our likeness. The singular
God here speaks in the plural. Not just
the Father, but the Son and the Holy Spirit as well, were involved in the work
of creation, just as all three are involved in the work of salvation.
God could not save what he did not make. To prove His
love for you Jesus became human to redeem the human world. Jesus who as a full
human; has the capacity to feel the hurts of friends. He shares the sorrow of
Martha. He weeps with Mary over Lazarus’ death. He expresses His love for his
friends. Jesus did not really need to cry. He knew what he was going to do in
the raising of Lazarus. Yet, human as He was, He was caught up in the
situation. He identified with His friends.
When we are ill, Christ’s healing reveals His glory.
When we are dead, Christ’s raising us, like Lazarus, all for the glory of God.
In the resurrection, the glory of God’s power is manifest. This offers hope to
the afflicted, for they are assured of the Lord’s help.
The creative power of God is found in his vast
creation. Luther sums it all in his explanation to the First Article of the
Apostles’ Creed. “I believe that God has
made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears,
and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them.
He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and
children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with
all that I need to support this body and life. He defends me against all danger
and guards and protects me from all evil. All this He does only out of
fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For
all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.”
Collect for
the Feast of the Holy Trinity: Almighty and everlasting God, You have given
us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a
true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us
steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for You, O Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and forever.
Image of the
Trinity, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
Collect for the
Feast of the Holy Trinity, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing
House, St. Louis
No comments:
Post a Comment