Rise, Walk, and Return

The Lord dwells in the midst of His people; therefore the camp must not be treated as common. Uncleanness is to be put away, stolen goods restored, false adornment cast off, and the heart itself circumcised. Jeremiah does not permit a painted repentance, fair on the outside and stubborn within. He calls for return in truth, judgment, and righteousness. For it is a fearful thing to have skill in evil and no knowledge of doing good, as Irenaeus says: “They are wise to do evil, but to do well they have no knowledge.”

This same severity and mercy meet in Christ. At the pool He does not merely pity the sick man; He commands him. The healing word is also a ruling word: rise, take up your bed, walk. And afterward comes the warning not to return to sin. The Psalm declares that God arises and His enemies are scattered; this is not only about armies and nations, but about the enemies lodged within us—lying, lust, greed, resentment, sloth. If God rises in a man, these must flee.

Yet this cleansing is not for emptiness. God rises to gather a people who rejoice, who receive His word, who care for His dwelling by walking uprightly. The Lord who now gives life by His voice will also summon all from the tombs, and His judgment will not be mocked. As Chrysostom reminds us, “for they that have done evil shall go forth to the resurrection of damnation, and they that have done good to the resurrection of life. John 5:29” Therefore let us return now, while breath remains: confess plainly, make restitution quickly, and obey the command of Christ without delay.