Return and Serve

The Lord who orders the tabernacle is the same Lord who seeks the adulterous and thirsty. In the wilderness, each family of Levi received its charge; holy things were not to be handled carelessly, and each man was appointed to his burden. In the prophet, Israel is accused of shameless wandering, yet the Lord still cries for return. In the Gospel, the Holy One sits weary at a well and asks water from a Samaritan woman, bringing to light her sin not to cast her off, but to turn her into a witness.

This is the way of God: holiness is not relaxed, and mercy is not withheld. He numbers those who serve, He exposes what is unclean, and He calls the backslider home. Therefore none should make light either of sin or of repentance. As the Apostolic Constitutions say, “Turn, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Jeremiah 3:22 Receive, therefore, without any doubting, him that repents.” The woman at the well did not hide when she was known; she left her water jar and drew others toward Christ. Repentance that does not change one’s steps is only speech.

And service remains the proper fruit of returning. Christ says His food is to do the Father’s will; so those who are restored must take up obedience, not merely admiration. The tabernacle had bearers; the harvest has laborers. Chrysostom says, “When He is hungry, let us feed Him; when He is thirsty, let us give Him drink: though thou give Him but a cup of cold water, He receives it.” If we have met the Lord at the well, we must become faithful in our appointed work, pure in conduct, truthful in confession, and ready in mercy.