Daily Devotional
Risen Lord, Binding Word
The risen Lord is not a comfort for the careless, but the judge of the earth and the giver of a new life that must be walked in truth. In the psalm, God stands among rulers and rebukes them for favoring the wicked while the poor and afflicted are neglected. In the law, a vow is not air from the mouth; it binds the soul. In the Gospel, the crucified one rises, shows His wounds, breathes the Holy Spirit on His apostles, and sends them as the Father sent Him. Therefore resurrection does not loose men into ease; it consecrates them to obedience.
The tongue must not run ahead of the heart. “Wherefore such a promise ought not to be rashly made, but with great caution: for it is better for her not to vow, than to vow and not to pay” (Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions). Better a few honest words kept than many pious speeches broken. The God who raised Jesus also hears what proceeds from our mouths.
And this same Lord will judge those who bear a lofty name but do unjustly. “Arise, O God! judge the earth, for Thou shalt inherit all nations’” (Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho). The nations belong to the risen Christ; therefore no household, no church, no ruler may despise the weak and call it nothing.
He came among fearful disciples with peace on His lips, yet He also gave them a charge: to bear His mission, His Spirit, and the remission of sins. Let us then live as men who have seen the empty tomb: faithful in speech, steadfast in repentance, and active in mercy toward those who cannot repay us.
“Wherefore such a promise ought not to be rashly made, but with great caution: for it is better for her not to vow, than to vow and not to pay.”
— Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions
“Arise, O God! judge the earth, for Thou shalt inherit all nations.’”
— Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho
For Reflection & Discussion
What promise, oath, or stated commitment have you made before God or neighbor that you must now either fulfill promptly or confess as sinfully rash?
Whom will you defend this week in a concrete way—the poor, the overlooked, the one treated unjustly—and what help will you actually give?
Since the risen Lord sent His disciples to deal truly with sin, what sin must you confess plainly today, and with whom must you seek forgiveness or make peace?
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