In a May 31, 2009 sermon entitled, “The Father Has Given All Things Into Jesus’ Hands”, John Piper preached on the text of John 3:31-36 and argued, in part, that when it says that the Father “gives the Spirit without measure” to the Son, it is parallel with the statement that “the Father loves the Son” (John 3:34, 35). In other words, Piper contends here that within the eternal Trinity, the Holy Spirit is the Personification of the Father’s love for the Son and the Son’s love for the Father. This reminded me of one of my favourite quotes from Jonathan Edwards which has helped me so much in my understanding of the relationships within the Trinity:
And this I suppose to be that blessed Trinity that we read of in the Holy Scriptures. The Father is the Deity subsisting in the prime, un-originated and most absolute manner, or the Deity in its direct existence. The Son is the Deity generated by God’s understanding, or having an idea of Himself and subsisting in that idea. The Holy Ghost is the Deity subsisting in act, or the Divine essence flowing out and breathed forth in God’s Infinite love to and delight in Himself. And I believe the whole Divine essence does truly and distinctly subsist both in the Divine idea and Divine love, and that each of them are properly distinct Persons.[1]
Here’s the link to the whole Piper sermon on John 3:31-36. But as you watch, listen or read, make sure to be ready to receive from this text of Scripture what it is intended for: that you would behold the fullness of the Glory of God and His grace to you for your eternal life and joy!
“The Father Has Given All Things Into Jesus’ Hands”, John Piper, May 31, 2009.
[1] Jonathan Edwards, "An Unpublished Essay on the Trinity," [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/edwards/trinity/files/trinity.html]. Accessed 15, June, 2007.
