The Day of Pentecost, May 19, 2024

The Day of Pentecost, May 19, 2024

These words deliver an important admonition from Jesus to his disciples.  Its importance means it is delivered twice, once here at the conclusion of their discussion regarding Jesus’ departure and once at the beginning of the discussion (Jn. 14:1).  Between the repetitions of this admonition Jesus brings clarity and encouragement to the disciples as he prepares them for his upcoming departure.  Our passage today brings us in at the close of the discussion and has Jesus answering the third of his interlocutors, Judas (not Iscariot).  The two previous interlocutors were Thomas who asked, “Lord, we do not know where you are going.  How can we know the way?” (Jn. 14:5) and Philip who demanded, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us” (Jn. 14:8).  Finally, Judas (not Iscariot) gets to ask, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” (Jn. 14:22).  Jesus’ answer comes through the keeping of his word.  Keeping Jesus’ word is loving Jesus… Keeping Jesus’ word brings the love of the Father… Keeping Jesus’ word establishes the Father and the Son at home with the keeper…. Keeping Jesus’ word means attending to it, cultivating it, living by it… keeping Jesus’ word is simply the acknowledgement that bread is insufficient for complete daily bread.  Daily bread must include the Bread of Life come down from heaven (Jn 6:33), a reality recognized from old, “…man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Dt. 8:3).  Keeping the word is having life from the Word.

Prayers from sinners who’d rather live by different words than the Word of the Lord…

Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, you have made the keeping of your Word into a promise of your presence, grant me to live by every word that comes from the mouth of my Lord so that I have the confidence of your presence.  Father, make it so.

Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, you have made the keeping of your Word into a promise of your presence, keep my heart free from trouble and from fear as I enjoy the peace given me by Jesus Christ.  Father, make it so.

Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, you have made the keeping of your Word into a promise of your presence, give me a receptive ear to all those things which your Holy Spirit would teach me.  Father, make it so.

Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, you have made the keeping of your Word into a promise of your presence, as I live from the words of your mouth turn me to my neighbors that I would be useful to them.  Father, make it so.

Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, you have made the keeping of your Word into a promise of your presence, as I am useful to my neighbors grant that they in turn are useful to me.  Father, make it so.

Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, you have made the keeping of your Word into a promise of your presence, so hold the Institute of Lutheran Theology in the keeping of your Word that it—with all its staff, faculty, and students—enjoys the promise of your presence.  Father, make it so.

Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, you have made the keeping of your Word into a promise of your presence, during these days while I live out the consequences of my baptism into Christ keep me steadfast in your Word that I would abide with you as you abide with me.  Father, make it so.