Holy Trinity C 2016 (Jn 8:48–59)

May 22, 2016
Immanuel Lutheran Church—Bremen, KS || AUDIO
Bethlehem Lutheran Church—Bremen, KS || AUDIO

INI + AMEN

JESUS GIVES YOU ACCESS TO THE TRINITY. That’s right! JESUS GIVES YOU ACCESS TO THE TRINITY. Jesus is the “Narrow Way,” the “Truth and the Life.” “No one comes to the Father except through” Him. There’s no other way to get to the trinity than through the Son who reveals the Father and sends the Spirit. The Trinitarian way of salvation is revealed by Jesus, who isn’t just the way to the Trinity, but He also gives and delivers access to the Trinity.

((I. Why? Because He’s the eternal Son.)

Now, why is it that JESUS GIVES YOU ACCESS TO THE TRINITY? Because Jesus is the eternal Son, that’s why! He is the Son of the Father. “I honor My Father,” He says. The Father has been Father from eternity. The Son has been Son from eternity. The Holy Spirit has proceeded from the Father and from the Son from eternity. And yet there are not three gods but one God. Jesus is that eternal Son. He doesn’t have a demon but the Holy Spirit whom He sends and gives. Jesus was “begotten of the Father from eternity and born of the Virgin Mary.” He isn’t just the Son of the Father. He reveals the Father. “I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word.” In His Word, His preaching, He reveals the Father. He reveals Him in His crucifixion and death for you, as we heard last week, “I do as the Father has commanded me.” He dies. He rises. He does so as the sent one, the Eternal Son. JESUS GIVES YOU ACCESS TO THE TRINITY because He’s the Father-revealing, Spirit-giving Son and because Jesus, the Son, is God Himself. “Before Abraham was, I am.” Jesus is the God of the Old Testament. He is Yahweh. That’s His claim. It’s why they pick up stones to stone Him. His claim is true! His resurrection from the dead proves that.

((II. How? Through His Word.))

Yes, JESUS GIVES YOU ACCESS TO THE TRINITY. How does He deliver it, give it to you? He does it through His Word, that’s how! But it’s a very specific Word. It’s His baptismal Word. It’s there that the Trinity first encountered you, as He did for Aaron Thomas this morning. There Father, Son, and Holy Spirit came together and placed their Three-in-One name upon him, as Jesus said. Disciples are made there at the baptismal font. That’s what Jesus says, “Make disciples…by baptizing them into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Aaron Thomas, sealed with holy Baptism, God’s Three-in-One name on him, is now a disciple. So also you! The Trinity has saved you: washed you in the death and resurrection of the Son; sealed you with the Holy Spirit; made you a beloved child of the Father. All at the Font! There’s the Trinity for you. Washed over you. Sealed upon you forever. Not temporary. Listen to Jesus’ Word: “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps, [cherishes], [receives], [guards] My Word, he will not see death forever.” Baptism’s promise lasts forever. It is eternal life. Jesus’ death and resurrection given to you guarantee a resurrection to eternal life for you. This promise is for everyone regardless of age. If it’s for a one-week old, it’s certainly for you too! Just as Peter says, “The promise is for you and for your children.”

JESUS GIVES YOU ACCESS TO THE TRINITY. He’s the eternal Son, eternal God who died and rose for you. New life is yours in Him, but not just in Him—in the Trinity! The Trinity came to you at the font. That word stands forever. “I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” That faith-bestowing Word is something you can put your trust in, as Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps, [cherishes], [receives], [guards] My Word, he will not see death forever.”

INI + AMEN.