"It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Mark 1: 9-11

Relational...in a word (as if a word could suffice), God at the core of His being is relational. The baptism of Jesus is a clear and beautiful portrait of God's relational nature. We see in this event the perfect yet mysterious inner workings of the trinity. Briefly, to say God is triune is to say that God is three distinct persons, yet also, at the same time One God. God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are distinct while at the same time One: they are co-eternal, co-equal, and in constant communication. The glue that holds this transcendent union together is relationship - specifically an eternal relationship of magnificent love.

In Jesus' baptism, we see the Holy Spirit gently descending upon Him as a sign of Christ's anointing. And we also hear the presence of the Father, lovingly proclaiming how pleased He is with His beloved Son. Even in the Son of God's humiliating descent into this world broken and stained with sin. Even in His eternal nature taking on the fragile human flesh. Even in His suffering and tears. Even in His being subjected to mocking, taunts and insults by the very people He made...the relational love union that bound together our triune God, remained strong and intact. They forever dance, glory and delight in the presence of the other.

The doctrine of the trinity would be in danger of becoming an obscure triviality if it were not for one amazing truth. Our relational God also seeks to re-establish the relationship with us that we dissolved when we sinned. You see God created us to be in loving relationship with Him. Christ came to forgive our sins, and to allow us to re-enter into that which we were made for.

When we put our faith in Christ, we are said to have union with Him. As mind boggling as it sounds, in Christ, we are graciously invited to participate in the marvelous and dynamic relationship of love that binds together the trinity. We too are welcome to dance, glory and delight in the presence of our majestic and eternal God. God stepped down, not only to meet us half-way in mending the relationship...God stepped down and elevated as high as we could possibly go - right into the heart of His love!

May each of you, today, take a moment to dance, glory and delight in your relationship with our triune God.

Be His, Scott