Go! And Know The Triune God - John 20:17 Series

Go! And Know the Triune God - John 20:17

Introduction

Today we delve into a profound moment in Scripture that reveals the triune nature of our God. In John 20:17 (NLT), we read:

“Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

This encounter between the risen Christ and Mary Magdalene is not just a tender moment; it's a theological treasure trove that unveils the relational dynamics within the Godhead and our inclusion into this divine fellowship.

I. Contextualising John 20:17

Mary Magdalene, overwhelmed with grief, encounters the resurrected Jesus. Her instinct is to cling to Him, but Jesus instructs her not to, stating He has not yet ascended to the Father. He then commissions her to inform the disciples of His impending ascension.

The Greek term used here for "cling" is haptou, which implies a tight grasp or embrace. Jesus isn't rejecting Mary's affection but is redirecting her understanding from a physical clinging to a spiritual communion that will be realized through the Holy Spirit post-ascension.

II. The Triune Revelation

Jesus' statement, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God,” is rich in Trinitarian theology.

Distinct Persons: Jesus refers to the Father as distinct from Himself, indicating a personal relationship.

Shared Relationship: By saying "my Father and your Father," He includes believers into this divine relationship.

Divine Equality and Submission: Referring to "my God," Jesus, in His incarnate state, models submission to the Father, yet elsewhere affirms His divinity (John 10:30).

Tim Keller aptly states: “The doctrine of the Trinity is that God is one being who exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

This triune relationship is foundational to our faith, revealing a God who is inherently relational.

III. Supporting Scriptures

Matthew 28:19 (NLT): “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

This Great Commission underscores the unity and distinctiveness within the Godhead.

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NLT): “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

Paul's benediction encapsulates the roles of each Person in the Trinity.

Genesis 1:26 (NLT): “Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us.’”

The plural pronouns hint at the triune nature of God even from creation.

IV. Practical Application

Understanding the Trinity isn't merely academic; it transforms our relationship with God.

Prayer: We pray to the Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit.

Worship: Recognizing each Person's role enriches our worship experience.

Community: The unity and diversity within the Trinity model how we should live in community—distinct yet united.

Charles Stanley emphasizes: “The word Trinity cannot be found in the Bible, but the truth of it can. While there's only one God, the Godhead consists of three distinct persons—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

V. Illustrative Story

Consider the sun: it emits light, heat, and radiation. Each is distinct yet emanates from the same source. Similarly, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons but one essence.

VI. The Gospel Centered in the Trinity

The Gospel is inherently Trinitarian:

The Father sends the Son (John 3:16).

The Son accomplishes redemption (Ephesians 1:7).

The Holy Spirit applies salvation to believers (Ephesians 1:13-14).

John Piper reflects: “This I suppose to be that blessed Trinity that we read of in the holy Scriptures.”

VII. Call to Action

Understanding the Trinity invites us into deeper communion with God. Let us:

Repent of trying to comprehend God solely through human logic.

Trust in the revealed nature of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Live in the fullness of this relationship, reflecting the unity and love of the Trinity in our communities.

VIII. Invitation to Salvation

If you have not yet entered into this divine fellowship, know that the triune God invites you. The Father loves you, the Son died for you, and the Holy Spirit longs to dwell within you. Repent, believe in the Gospel, and be baptized into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

IX. Benediction

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.