The following Scriptural Nugget is the first in a mini-series based on John 11.
“Jesus answered, ‘Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world’s light. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light.'” (John 11:9-10). The setting is somewhere in Galilee. Jesus has been told that His dear friend Lazarus is terribly sick, and though He doesn’t seem terribly worried at first, two days later He decides it is time to go to Judea, to Bethany, to see Lazarus. But He is met by opposition. His disciples are afraid. They chose this moment to gently remind Jesus that His life may be in danger if He returns to Judea: “Rabbi . . . a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?” (John 11:8) Jesus’ response to their concern is very interesting: “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world’s light. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light.” (John 11:9,10) To the bystander, Jesus’ response would seem totally out of context! The disciples are concerned about being killed, and Jesus calmly says there are 12 hours of daylight, and it is only when they walk outside of those hours of daylight — when they walk at night — that they will stumble! What possible connection can there be between the disciples’ very valid concerns and Jesus’ strange answer? Do you remember what Jesus said about “light” somewhat earlier in His ministry? Let’s take a look: John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Jesus says He is the light of the world, and anyone who followed Him will never walk in darkness! Jesus’ comment about light was simply providing a loving reminder to His fearful followers that they didn’t need to be afraid of what the people of Judea might do to them! They didn’t need to worry about walking in the “Valley of the Shadow of Death”, for He — Jesus — the Light — was with them!
I have good news for you, my friends! We, too, need not fear the darkness! We don’t need to fear what man can do to us. Why? Because the Light of the world resides within us! As long as Jesus is within, we, too, walk in the Light. We do not walk in darkness (John 8:12), and as a result, we will not stumble (John 11:10)! So what do we do with fear? We strike it down with the Truth of the Word of God! We remind ourselves, just as Jesus so lovingly reminded His disciples, that we do not walk in darkness, because the Light of the World is with us! We put our faith and trust in God’s word! And we go ahead with what we have been commissioned to do! Praise God, we do not walk in darkness!
In His love,
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, Moderator, The Nugget, Scriptural Nuggets ( www.scripturalnuggets.org ), Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org
(To access the entire “Lazarus is Dead!” mini-series, please click here.)