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The Institute of Lutheran theology not only provides programs to train pastors and teachers, but it also provides educational and devotional resources for individuals and congregations. These resources are provided free of charge and made available through our web page. Please subscribe to and use any of these resources.

The Institute of Lutheran theology not only provides programs to train pastors and teachers, but it also provides educational and devotional resources for individuals and congregations. These resources are provided free of charge and made available through our web page. Please subscribe to and use any of these resources.

The Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 12, 2024

The Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 12, 2024

Jesus promises you important work… the same work that is to be done by the Spirit of truth.  The work to be done is simply this:  bear witness to Jesus… bear witness about him… The work promised you is the same work done by John the Baptist as he lifted up his bony finger, pointed to Jesus Christ as he walked by, and announced, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn. 1:29). The work promised you is the work which Jesus delivered to his disciples as he sent them out into the world, even unto the ends of the earth: “You will be my witnesses… (Acts 1:8). The conditions of this sending are to be the same conditions under which Jesus was sent: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you…” (Jn. 20:21). You have comfort in this promise. There is nothing conditional about it.  Jesus plainly says, “you also will bear witness” (Jn. 15:27). Once the Spirit of truth has borne witness to you about Jesus Christ who himself is “the way, the truth, and the life…” (Jn. 14:6), how can you help but bear witness to the one who is solely and exclusively not error but the one and only way… not lies but the one and only truth… not death but the one and only life? You will know the truth and the truth will set you free… (Jn. 8:36) free… free to declare, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

Prayers from sinners reluctant to be witnesses to the one who takes away their sin…

Father, the Spirit of truth has come from you, grant me ears to hear the Spirit’s witness by the Word of Jesus Christ so that I would know Jesus as the one and only way… truth… and life. For Jesus’ sake, forgive my sins.

Father, the Spirit of truth has come from you, grant me such faith in the Spirit’s witness that I would join John the Baptist pointing out Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. For Jesus’ sake, forgive my sins.

Father, the Spirit of truth has come from you, hold me in the certainty of such faith that I do not doubt my work as a witness to Jesus Christ. For Jesus’ sake, forgive my sins.

Father, the Spirit of truth has come from you, grant that I would have throat, lips, and tongue to declare the Lamb of God to my neighbors that they, too, would receive life in his name. For Jesus’ sake, forgive my sins.

Father, the Spirit of truth has come from you, hold my declarative witness before my neighbors and give them ears to hear that they, too, would know Jesus as the one and only way… truth… and life… For Jesus’ sake, forgive my sins.

Father, the Spirit of truth has come from you, grant that the Institute of Lutheran Theology be sustained and does not cease in its bearing witness to Jesus Christ. For Jesus’ sake, forgive my sins.

Father, the Spirit of truth has come from you, hold me confident and certain during these days of my baptism that I have work to do… work that you’ve given me… work that cannot be prevented… because it is work which you have promised me. For Jesus’ sake, forgive my sins.