Week Fourteen-Day Three: Trinitarian

We have said that one reason we believe that God is three-persons-one-being is because the first followers of Jesus, the eyewitnesses of his life and resurrection, believed it.

A second reason we believe in the Trinitarian nature of God is because Jesus himself believed it. Let’s look at a couple of passages that make this quite plain.

John 10:22-30

²² Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, ²³ and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. ²⁴ The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

²⁵ Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, ²⁶ but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. ²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.”

Consider these questions based on what Jesus said in this exchange.

1. On what basis should they have known who he was?
2. What kind of authority does he assume about himself based on verses 27-28?
3. Okay, could he be any clearer than he is in verse 30?

This is just not the kind of thing that a typical First Century Rabbi would say. This is the kind of thing that got him into trouble with the Pharisees and religious lawyers. This is the kind of thing that explains his crucifixion really. I mean, why were they so worked up about Jesus? There were others who claimed to be the Messiah. There were many others who had followers who claimed they were the Messiah. What was so different about Jesus? Why did he inspire such self-righteous passion in his opponents?

I believe that they believed they were saving Judaism from the worst kind of heresy in Jesus’ teaching. He was claiming to be the Messiah. Well, that’s not good – you get people’s hopes up in the wrong kind of way – not wise and not good. But those kinds of troublemakers did not get themselves crucified. Jesus was claiming much more. Look at another exchange from John’s account. I have bolded the striking parts.

John 8:48-59

⁴⁸ The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”

⁴⁹ “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. ⁵⁰ I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. ⁵¹ Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”

⁵² At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. ⁵³ Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

⁵⁴ Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. ⁵⁵ Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. ⁵⁶ Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”

⁵⁷ “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”

⁵⁸ “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” ⁵⁹ At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds. 

They picked up stones to kill him because they are well aware of the blasphemy they have just heard. So look here at both sides of the three-persons-one-being reality of God.

1. How do these verses demonstrate the unique personhood of the Son and that of the Father?
2. How do these verses demonstrate the essential unity of the Son with the Father?

The name by which God introduced Himself to Moses in the Old Testament is Yahweh or Jehovah – the exact pronunciation is not known (Exodus 3:14). If this name were translated into English, it would be rendered “I Am!” Look at what Jesus says about himself in verse 58. The present tense here is no accident and his listeners know it. The penalty for blasphemy against God was death by stoning.

I am reminded of the argument that Josh McDowell makes about the identity of Jesus.[1] He says it is impossible to admire Jesus and not believe that he is part of the Godhead. Given what Jesus says about himself, you have to conclude that he is either a lunatic, a liar or he is Lord. The first followers came to the conclusion that it was the later. The Pharisees, religious rulers and teachers of the law came to a very different conclusion. And they did what they should have done considering their conclusion. They punished the blasphemy and they rid the earth, and their faith in particular, from the plague of this unseemly man. At least they thought they did.

BEFORE YOU START YOUR DAY

1. The promise of a brand new kind of life – eternal life – is made in both of these passages.Thank God for that offer this morning!
2. Reread John 8:48-59.Linger over the phrases and words that strike you and let them nourish you spiritually this morning.