June 17, 2025
The Trinity - Part 2
John 3:1-3
06/17/2025
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named
Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him,
``Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from
God, for no one can do these signs that you do
unless God is with him.''
3 Jesus answered him, ``Truly, truly, I say to you,
unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom
of God.'' (ESV)
During the first week of the Trinity Season, we ask, ``Who
is God?''
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a
ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and
said to him, ``Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher
come from God, for no one can do these signs that you
do unless God is with him.'' Jesus answered him,
``Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again
he cannot see the kingdom of God.''
Nicodemus asked Jesus, ``Who are you and what are you
teaching?'' The truth is simple, we do not and cannot know of
God or Jesus without having faith. Faith includes knowledge,
agreement that what is known is true, and trust in that truth.
Without faith, Christianity remains foolish to those who hear of
God's love.
How do we obtain that faith? Jesus points us to baptism,
the washing of regeneration and renewal where the Word of God is
joined with water to create the faith which holds to God's
promise of everlasting life. Saint Peter reminds us, ``Baptism
now saves you,''[1] Saint Paul wrote: ``We were buried therefore
with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was
raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might
walk in newness of life.''[2] Jesus said: ``Whoever believes and
is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be
condemned.''[3]
May our Lord grant us faith to know Him, thus to have the
forgiveness of our sins and life everlasting. Amen.
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1. 1 Peter 3:21
2. Romans 6:4 (ESV)
3. Mark 16:16 (ESV)