Biblical Numbers

Today, in biblical terms, the number 3 has a significant place. It is suggested that  3 conveys the meaning of completeness, though to a lesser degree than 7. It derives its symbolism from the fact that it is the first of four spiritually perfect numerals (the others being 7, 10 and 12).

3 features heavily in the passion narrative; Jesus prayed three times in the Garden of Gethsemane before His arrest. He was placed on the cross at the 3rd hour of the day (9 a.m.) and died at the 9th hour. There were 3 hours of darkness that covered the land while Jesus was suffering on the cross from the 6th hour to the 9th hour. Christ was dead for three day.

But let’s ponder on 3 as a symbol of completeness, that conveys themes of divine perfection, fulfilment and God's profound involvement in the world. It emphasises key doctrinal truths and underscores the structure and unfolding of God's plan throughout biblical history. Of course doctrinally we speak of God’s completeness in terms of the 3 persons of the trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In human terms Jesus spoke of completeness in terms of Mark 12:30-31 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

For the disciple, according to Paul, there are three essential graces, faith, hope and love, with love having the preeminence in all we are and do. So love is the overriding completeness expressed in the trilogy of love for God, love for neighbour and love for self.

Fred Beuchner said, “If we are to love our neighbours, before doing anything else we must see our neighbours. With our imagination as well as our eyes, that is to say like artists, we must see not just their faces but the life behind and within their faces. Here it is love that is the frame we see them in.” And dare I say that we will see a shadow of our selves reflected in the complete love of God.”   

Heavenly Father, thank You for the wonderful Word of truth and the lessons that it teaches. I pray that I may take to heart all that You want me to learn. Give me an understanding heart, a teachable spirit, and a desire to do Your will. Help me, I pray, to do all for Your praise and glory, within your gracious completeness. This I ask in Jesus' name, Amen