1 + 1 + 1 = 1. This equation represents the Holy Trinity. Mathematically it is incorrect. Logically it is illogical. And yet, it faithfully represents how the New Testament reveals God: One God in Three Persons, the Holy Trinity. Since it seems mathematically and logically wrong and yet true at the same time, we call it a mystery. It is something that we humans cannot explain, and yet we accept it as true because that is the way the Bible tells us. It is a matter of faith.
There are a number of mysteries in the Bible. One of the biggest mysteries is that Jesus died and then on the third day rose again. This is medically impossible, it is a mystery. We cannot explain how God did it, but through faith we accept it as true. An even bigger mystery is that death of Jesus is a sacrifice that forgives our sin. We cannot see it with our eyes, we cannot feel it. How does it work? It is a miracle, it is a mystery. How can Jesus in the Holy Communion be really present in the bread and wine as his holy Body and Blood? It is because he said “this is my body which is given for you…this cup is the new covenant in my blood which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:19-20). That covenant is the promise of salvation. However, one thing that is not a mystery any longer is the depth of God’s love.
There are many mysteries in this world. Historical, archeological, political, medical, social, psychological, philosophical, theological… God has given humans a mind that is curious, a mind that tries to solve those mysteries. And so, when a scientist finds a cure to a disease, it is doing God-given work: it is loving the neighbor. But sometimes researchers run into a barrier and they can go no further. The mystery cannot be solved without a bigger telescope or faster computer or because of the lack of records from the past. But even if we do not know all the reasons, we can enjoy God’s creation. We can rejoice in the wonders of nature, we can be thankful for electricity and air conditioning, we can keep in contact with our loved ones with modern technology.
When Christians study the Bible, which is the only reliable source of knowledge about God, sometimes we run into a barrier because God has not revealed all of infinity to us. Often when we Christians pray and look for answers in life, we find that God has not revealed everything to us. It can be frustrating. Living by faith in the midst of mysteries can either be scary or it can be freeing, because we know that God knows everything and will take care of us.
Recently the devotion reading was from the Old Testament Book of Job. In the book, Job and his three friends debate about how God deals with humans, punishing or rewarding them. They cannot decide what is right. Finally God says, 38:4, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” In other words, have faith and trust God for everything. Humans can never fully understand the mysteries of God. However, God has given humans the wisdom to see creation and thank God for it, to see salvation and have faith to believe it, to see their fellow neighbor and respond in love.
My point today is that 1 + 1 + 1 = 1 is not a stumbling block to faith, but like a starting block that Olympic tract event runners use to get a good foot hold for a fast start, for the exciting race in faith. It starts with Baptism in the Name of the Triune God. It is a mystery that Baptism can wash away our sins, not just once, but daily as we pray to God. Our worship service starts by calling on the Holy Name as we remember our Baptism and remember that we are children of this Holy God. The Trinitarian benediction tells us that as we leave church, we leave as baptized and redeemed precious children of God. In other words, we do not explain the mystery, we live it. It is a mystery of God’s love that he would choose sinners like us to be in his family. It is a mystery why God sent His Only Son Jesus to die for us and to give eternal life to all who believe. In other words, we do not explain the mystery, we live it.
Let’s make that mystery a part of our lives. In other words, I think that Christians themselves should be mysterious. There should be something about a Christian’s life that other people cannot understand. A non-Christian should not be able to understand a Christian. The biggest mystery of God is God’s love, mercy, and forbearance or tolerance. If a Christian believer has that same love, mercy, and tolerance toward other people, people will be mystified. Tolerance means that we leave judgment up to God. Only God is the judge of other people. That is not the common way that people live and act toward others. People see love as selfishness, mercy as weakness, and tolerance or putting up with others is seen as being wishy-washy or condoning sin.
When I say that a Christian should be mysterious, I do not mean that they should be eccentric or weird or irrational. That is just plain being weird. I mean that a Christian should be different than non-Christians. We have our feet on the ground, but our heart is in heaven. Or rather, heaven is in our heart. We are a child of God as we walk down the street. The fullness of the Trinity, the fullness of our baptism is a mystery, and yet in our faith, it is revealed to us. That is the work of the Holy Spirit.
As we live as a Christian child of God, the mystery of God is revealed to the world. God’s love and mercy come to the world. It is awe. It is awesome.
I think the most awesome and mysterious words of all are those words that proclaim the Name of God. “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Amen.
Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church
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