3-in-1

The Trinity is always difficult to understand and explain.  There have been many attempts to explain it using several different analogies: an apple, an egg, an apple pie, etc.

I am currently living in an Islamic city in Northern Iraq.  All Muslims would love  Deuteronomy 6:4 "Hear, O Israel: the LORD is our God, the LORD is one."  The idea of God being 3-in-1 is blasphemous and the topic is best avoided until a relationship has grown to a deeper level of friendship.

However, after being here a short time, I discovered a product that is in almost every market in our city and possibly most of the Arab world.  To me, this product could be the best analogy for the Trinity.  On the front of every packet is "3-in-1".  There are many varieties/brands.  Nescafe is the most known, so regardless of brand, it is called Nescafe (like Kleenex in the US) or "3-in-1".  The image above shows the brand I prefer.

So here's the analogy:  Each packet contains 3 distinct ingredients: coffee, milk, and sugar.  If you emptied the packet onto a plate, and were given enough time, you could separate the granules into three different piles. However, and this is where I think other analogies breakdown, God is one and inseparable.  Now everyone who enjoys this product adds hot water.  When you add hot water, the 3 ingredients become inseparable, the three truly become ONE (cup of coffee).  The ingredients are still distinct and the flavor of each are contained in each sip of coffee.  So what does the water represent: RELATIONSHIP.  It is the relationship shared by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit that makes them 3-in-1.

And the most amazing part... through the life of Jesus, before and after the cross, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we can SHARE in this relationship.