THE WEEK OF TRINITY - SATURDAY

Be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18

In the very first chapter of the Bible we are told, “The Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). This passage is not quite as clear as Matthew 28:19, because the Jews make it a little shaky for us when they tell us that the word for Spirit in Hebrew can also mean “wind.” David’s statement is clearer: “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all their host by the Spirit of his mouth” (Psalm 33:6, RSV has “breath of his mouth”). From this passage, it is clear that the Holy Spirit is God because the heavens and their host were created through Him.

David also says, “Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend to heaven, thou art there! If I make my bed in Sheol, thou art there!” (Psalm 139:7-8). This is no language for a creature! No creature is to be found in all corners of the world, and no creature fills the whole world. This can only be affirmed of God, the Creator.

Accordingly, we stick to the Scriptures and the statements of Scripture which attest the threefold person of God and say, “I know for sure that God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are a living reality, but just how they are truly one I do not know and will never know.”

SL 11:1151 (10-12)

PRAYER: Holy, almighty, eternal, divine Spirit, of one authority and dominion with the Father and the Son, set up Your throne in our hearts. You who are pure, purify us! You who are light, enlighten us! You who are Lord and giver of life, grant us the true life which knows no end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:405-411.