All the Fullness of God

The trumpet grew louder and louder. The people, terrified, stood at the foot of the mountain as smoke went up from it. The ground shook violently. The sound of the trumpet and thunder surely deafened them. The thick cloud and smoke surely impeded their sight. The ground shook beneath their feet and surely made it difficult to stand upright. They were in the vortex of God's presence; and what an overwhelming presence it was! "Who is able to stand before the LORD, this holy God?"

If this was our only vision of God, we would have no hope. But then we read in Colossians 1:19 that "in [Jesus Christ] all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell." All of that terrifying power seen, heard, and felt by the Israelites was somehow contained in the God/man Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ. The man part we can get--He walked, laughed, cried, ate, and drank. He welcomed little kids to come to him. But we also believe that "our Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son, is both God and human, equally" (Athanasian Creed).

The power and majesty of God in Christ. The peace and gentleness of Christ in God. These are not two gods, but one God. The Triune God was present on the hillside of Sinai. The Triune God was present on the hillside of Golgotha. "For I the LORD do not change" (Malachi 3:6a).

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we praise you today. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory. Delight in saving us today, O God. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.