…Jesus took Peter, James and John and led them up a high mountain… (Mark 9:2, NLT)
Many golf interviews include this question: “What three players would you invite to join you for one last round?” Pause for a moment and think about that one before moving on.
I am writing a futuristic golf novel that includes a mountain at the far end of a mythical links course. It is called the Mountain of Threesomes, in homage to the idea that golf is really perfect in many ways in a threesome. The pattern for professional tournaments, college events, and most major amateur tournaments, three seems to be the perfect number to keep play moving.
Indeed, we saw last month that “two are better than one…”, but in golf, a two-ball will often be looking for a third, instinctively knowing that “three are even better than two, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
In life situations, three is better than two for many reasons. For one, communication seems easier when three people are in the conversation. It is the basis for most marriage counseling—the simple fact that two people often need a third person to be in the mix. Mediation in court is based on the same principle. Two people in conflict often just need a third party in the room to see the possibilities of agreement.
And even better, when a man and woman love each other, the twosome often becomes a threesome. Their love means a baby comes into the world, making the perfect three-ball.
This was evident two Sundays ago when Rory McIlroy won his 19th PGA tournament. His victory seemed more special because he was actually “three” for the first time. His wife and baby girl were there on Mother’s Day to celebrate with him. He was not alone. Surely the happiest wins on the PGA tour are the ones with a wife and a baby to join the celebration.
But back to my Mountain of Threesomes. They are a diverse mix of golf and Bible history.
Have you comprehended that God himself is a threesome?
Francis Ouimet is joined by Harry Vardon and Ted Ray, forever linked by the US Open at Brookline in 1913. Hogan, Nelson, and Snead are linked by all having been born in 1912. Of course, the modern big three of Palmer, Player, and Nicklaus make an appearance.
Biblical threesomes are even more interesting.
Genesis 18:2-3 recalls a threesome that showed up at Abraham’s tent: “He looked up and noticed three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran to meet them and welcomed them, bowing low to the ground.” Many theologians believe this was Jesus making an Old Testament appearance with two unnamed angels. What a threesome!
Ezekiel 14:14 seems to say that Daniel, Noah, and Job was the most righteous threesome of all time.
And of course, it was Peter, James, and John (three special disciples) who were invited to join the threesome of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah on top of a mountain.
There are so many lessons, but for today, just one final thought. Have you comprehended that God himself is a threesome?
Father. Son. Holy Spirit.
And best of all, this Eternal Threesome is calling you into personal relationship.
Imagine the phone call from a heavenly secretary.
“Good morning, Tim. The Holy Trinity—you know, Father, Son and Holy Spirit—are looking for a fourth this evening. Would you like to join them for a quick nine? You can walk and talk with them. And don’t worry, they don’t keep score.”
Who could say no to that invitation?
—
Tim Philpot
May 19, 2021
Copyright 2021 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.