In John chapter seventeen verse ten, the Apostle chronicles Jesus’ prayer to the Father, saying, “All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them [in the disciples].” In this passage, John begins by telling us how Jesus makes the Father’s name and character known to the disciples (verse 6); Jesus prays that his followers be sanctified, made perfect in truth (verse 19). But what does it mean for Jesus to make the Father’s name and character known? And what does it mean for Jesus’ followers to be made perfect in truth? And how is Jesus glorified in his disciples?
During Holy Week this year my wife Kristi and I and a few South Sudanese colleagues conducted the Healing the Wounds of Ethnic Conflict (HWEC) workshop at the institution where I teach, Nile Theological College, a diverse setting where many of the tribes of South Sudan are represented. The opening teaching of this workshop is entitled, “God’s Original Intention for Relationships.” In this first lesson we examine the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Together with the students we described the nature of this relationship, how within the Trinity we find three separate and distinct Persons, separate, yet working perfectly together in mutuality, love, trust, affection, confidence, support and respect. Within the Trinitarian Godhead there is no competition, no power struggle, and no jealousy. No one feels threatened. Moreover, because of God’s love, God decided to create humanity so that we also can enjoy this fellowship and quality of relationship. Yet, as we know all too well, our forefather Adam and our foremother Eve lost sight of the beauty and quality of God’s original intention and went their own way. Now, we as humanity are plagued by that fateful decision as we inherently follow that tortuous path.
In the HWEC workshop we utilize creative expression and drama. In this first and significant teaching, as the facilitator I selected three volunteers to come forward, the three creating a circle holding hands. Each volunteer, coming from different tribes, stands before their colleagues and the faculty members, representing the three persons of the Godhead, quite the responsibility! As together we discuss the quality of relationships of the Godhead, we marvel at the quality of this relationship, particularly in contrast with the soured relationships we find in the world. In the midst of our marveling, I then asked the students and faculty if they would like to come and join this quality of relationship, breaking open the circle and inviting anyone to come join this extraordinary fellowship. Slowly, one by one, students and faculty catch a glimpse of the glory of this possibility and join us.
After the workshop one of my students wrote his reflection paper with terrific enthusiasm and excitement for what this teaching means for South Sudan, how God is calling us to makes His glory known through the quality of our relationships, how we are made perfect in this union with the Godhead, and how Jesus is glorified in us as we follow the model God has given us. This mutuality and love, despite differences of tribe and region, is the glory of relationship which God intends. May it be so in South Sudan!
During Holy Week this year my wife Kristi and I and a few South Sudanese colleagues conducted the Healing the Wounds of Ethnic Conflict (HWEC) workshop at the institution where I teach, Nile Theological College, a diverse setting where many of the tribes of South Sudan are represented. The opening teaching of this workshop is entitled, “God’s Original Intention for Relationships.” In this first lesson we examine the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Together with the students we described the nature of this relationship, how within the Trinity we find three separate and distinct Persons, separate, yet working perfectly together in mutuality, love, trust, affection, confidence, support and respect. Within the Trinitarian Godhead there is no competition, no power struggle, and no jealousy. No one feels threatened. Moreover, because of God’s love, God decided to create humanity so that we also can enjoy this fellowship and quality of relationship. Yet, as we know all too well, our forefather Adam and our foremother Eve lost sight of the beauty and quality of God’s original intention and went their own way. Now, we as humanity are plagued by that fateful decision as we inherently follow that tortuous path.
In the HWEC workshop we utilize creative expression and drama. In this first and significant teaching, as the facilitator I selected three volunteers to come forward, the three creating a circle holding hands. Each volunteer, coming from different tribes, stands before their colleagues and the faculty members, representing the three persons of the Godhead, quite the responsibility! As together we discuss the quality of relationships of the Godhead, we marvel at the quality of this relationship, particularly in contrast with the soured relationships we find in the world. In the midst of our marveling, I then asked the students and faculty if they would like to come and join this quality of relationship, breaking open the circle and inviting anyone to come join this extraordinary fellowship. Slowly, one by one, students and faculty catch a glimpse of the glory of this possibility and join us.
The glory of relationship!
After the workshop one of my students wrote his reflection paper with terrific enthusiasm and excitement for what this teaching means for South Sudan, how God is calling us to makes His glory known through the quality of our relationships, how we are made perfect in this union with the Godhead, and how Jesus is glorified in us as we follow the model God has given us. This mutuality and love, despite differences of tribe and region, is the glory of relationship which God intends. May it be so in South Sudan!
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