“A Triune Work in Progress”

John 16:12-15

Pastor Tom Johnson, May 26, 2013

“I still have many things to say to you,” Jesus tells his disciples. “There is so much I want to tell you—so much I want to share with you.” I’m sure you know the feeling—wanting to unload a truck-load of information on someone. Maybe you went on vacation, have come back, and now can’t wait to share the sights, smells, tastes, stories, and experiences you had. Or you just discovered some exciting information. You want to be the first to tell your friends and family. You take delight in seeing the look of surprise on the faces who receive the good news. Sometimes what we want to share cannot be summed up in sound bytes. It is too rich and too profound. So we invite our friend to lunch, coffee, a long walk, or drive. We plan ahead, make an appointment, and take our time.

So it is with Jesus. “I still have many things to say to you but you cannot bear them now,” he says. “You can only handle so much. So, over the course of time, the Spirit of Truth will guide you into the fullness of the Gospel,” he says. “And what the Holy Spirit reveals is exactly what is on my heart and the heart of the Father. It will bring me joy and glory,” he says, “because he will deliver my gifts and assure you of my grace. You cannot bear what I want to say to you now,” says our Lord. In the weakness of our humanity, we can only take in so much truth at a time.

That is why, when we talk about God, we use the word “mystery.” A mystery in the Bible is not something that is hidden forever—but revealed over time. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa 55:8-9). We use words like “holy” to describe God because he is uncommon, other, and transcends creation. Yes, it is true that the word “Trinity” is nowhere found in the Bible. But no human language can adequately reveal the true nature of God who is, God who is One—God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Words cannot bear the heavy weight of that truth. All our singing, preaching, and theologizing is but a mere shadow of the bright truth of God. Even in eternity, the archangels cover their eyes and dare not look straight into the face of the resurrected Christ when they cry “Holy, Holy, Holy” (Isa 6:3; Rev 4:8).

And so the Father and Son have sent the Holy Spirit. It is out of a compassion, empathy, and love that Jesus doesn’t just unload all that he wants to say at once. He reveals the patience of the Triune God by giving us space and time. And yet, he does give us a quick peek into the mystery of God. God the Father loves his creation. God the Son gives himself for us. God the Holy Spirit delivers his gifts and assures us of his love. They all work together in perfect harmony as One. And they all work for us in various ways according to their Person. The Trinity is a work in progress on our behalf.

What a difference our view of God and of ourselves would be if we kept this in the forefront of our minds—that we are God’s work in progress. We cannot bear all the things God wants to tell us at once.  And rather than beat ourselves up, demand perfection of ourselves, or expect immediate results, we can also give ourselves and one another space and time since the Holy Spirit is patient and wise. He comes to lead, counsel, teach, and give his gifts. Jesus describes the inner working of the Trinity to reveal the outward experience of the believer. And that path is one that leads to acceptance, growth, and eternal life. What a difference it makes in how we view one another—we are all God’s work in progress. It may sound condescending, but Jesus certainly does not mean it that way: “You cannot bear what I want to say to you now.” Because, unlike Jesus the eternal Son of God, we are all in this growth thing together. We have all the more reason to be patient with one another as Jesus is patient with us. Like him, we can look to the future with Triune optimism. We can look ahead to our Christian journey with joyful expectation. Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will take what is the Father’s and what is the Son’s and deliver it to us over time.

What a wonderful way to look at our worship, Bible studies, and personal prayers. The Holy Spirit is weekly, daily, and hourly revealing the mystery of God’s love. We are on a journey of discovery with the Holy Spirit as our guide.

“Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see, Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity”

(“Holy, Holy, Holy,” LSB 507 v.3).