Holy, Holy, Holy. Why do we say it three times?
The number 3 conveys the meaning of completeness, though to a lesser degree than 7. It appears 467 times in God’s word. It derives its symbolism from the fact that it is the first of four spiritually perfect numerals (3, 7, 10, and 12).

God is holy.

Let’s not stop with last week’s definition of scary, powerful, totally omnipotent, and dangerous, although all those things are true. It also means: morally perfect, the powerful and creative force behind the whole universe, totally and utterly unique, and utterly good.

We are not holy. But God created us as perfect human beings who could be in close and personal relationship with Him, walk through the Garden of Eden with Him, and not be afraid of him. But that ended in Genesis 3 when disobedience became the human norm. Adam said to God, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid…”

We were kicked out of Eden (because of our impurity), but God had a redemption plan for us all along.

God’s son Jesus came to earth because God is love and utterly good. His redemption plan was for Jesus to become human (as He remained God), live the only perfect human life, then take on all of our sins in order to receive our consequences of punishment and death so that we don’t have to. Then he defeated death and is the priest who represents us before the throne of God, the Holy of Holies. He paid the price for the sins of all humanity, so that we can approach God. (For a good synopsis, read Stephen’s speech in Acts 7.)

If we go back to Isaiah’s vision (Isaiah 6), a Seraphim touched his lips with a live coal, which transferred God’s holiness to him. Isaiah could remain in God’s presence without being totally destroyed. This is a picture of what Jesus does for us.

God is holy. And Holy God loves us so much that He made a way for us to come back to Him.

Our holy God loves us.

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.