by the Rev Peter Willox, The Church of St. John the Evangelist, Ben Rhydding

Three days…?

Before you say anything, this is not going to be a political rant… but I was intrigued to know what the significance of three days was in Dominic Grieve’s mind when he asked last week for the controversial amendment in the Brexit discussions. Was it just an arbitrary number or is there a political significance to that number that I am not aware of? Well, I may never find out, but it got me thinking about the number 3.

‘3’ has significance in many theologies, philosophies and disciplines. For instance, the Pythagoreans saw the number 3 as the first true number as it forms the first geometric figure, the triangle, and because it was the sum of 1 and 2 (about my level of maths) which apparently symbolised the universal Father and Mother respectively. Of course, we all remember Pythagoras’ theorem about right angled triangles (the one about the Squaws and Hippopotamuses).

The number 3 has significance in theology too, particularly in Christian thought as we describe God as one and yet perceived through 3 individual personalities, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But it was three other theological 3’s that came into my mind as I was contemplating Brexit, life, the universe and everything, and I felt I wanted to share them with you.

Firstly, Jesus said to a group of religious teachers who doubted him “Destroy this temple and I will rebuild it in 3 days”. He was referring to his own body which was killed by crucifixion but rose again 3 days later. For me, the power of love as seen in those three days of Christ’s death and resurrection is a power that can never be destroyed and can always be drawn on and relied upon.

Secondly, when Jesus had been arrested, his friend Peter denied he knew Jesus 3 times. After the resurrection Jesus forgave him 3 times by giving him a task: to look after his people (Jesus’ flock). No matter how often we get it wrong, it seems to me that God provides new opportunities through his forgiveness, for us to go on and do something right.

Thirdly, in the book of revelation, John has a vision of angels singing praise 3 times to the one “who was, who is and who is to come”. God is the God of the past, the present and the future. Whatever happens to us and wherever we may go we are always in the presence of God.

When faced with the uncertainties of politics and the fickleness of human frailty these 3 things, God’s unceasing presence, love and forgiveness, give me a great deal of hope and comfort. Perhaps you might like to think about that for a while, but don’t worry, there is no rush. Thankfully, God doesn’t put a 3 day time limit on us coming back to him with an answer.