The Gospel of John: John 11.1-16

Read and meditate on John 11.7-10.
Jesus decided to return to Judea to awaken His friend Lazarus from his “sleep.” The disciples were wary, but Jesus explained His decision, albeit in enigmatic terms.

                                   ⁷After this He said
to His disciples, “Let us go again
into Judea.” ⁸His disciples said,
“Lord, You know that the Jews there want You dead,
and are You going there again?” ⁹But He
replied, “You know that there can only be
twelve hours in any day. Whoever in
the daylight walks will stumble not, but in
it he will see the light of the world. ¹⁰But he
who walks at night will stumble; there will be
no light in him.”

- John 11.7-10

Reflect
1.  Two days passed since Jesus and His disciples received the news about Lazarus. Jesus, knowing that Lazarus had died, decided to return to Judea. The way He phrased this – “Let us go to Judea again” rather than simply “Let us go to Bethany” or “to Lazarus” – suggests that Jesus was thinking about more than just Lazarus. Lazarus was certainly the proximate cause for His decision, but He seems to have had more in mind than merely Lazarus. Does thus suggest anything concerning how to think about the tasks and duties before us each day in our Personal Mission Field? Explain. Complete this prayer: Lord, help me always to keep the larger picture of Your calling in mind as I…

2.  The disciples were naturally a bit wary about returning to Judea (v. 8). John inserts this reminder here in case we have lost sight of the growing antipathy toward Jesus among the religious leaders of Judea. He is re-establishing the somber tone of chapter 10, to prepare us for what is to come. How do you suppose the disciples felt about this decision? But they went along with Jesus anyway. How does their doing so instruct us as disciples of Jesus? Lord, do not let me succumb to the fear of men, because I know…

3.  Verses 9 and 10 probably left at least some of the disciples looking at one another and saying, “Huh?” Let’s take a closer look at this enigmatic response. First, note that Jesus made a distinction between “the day” and “the light of the world.” How would you explain each of these? Today, Lord, this day, let me see You shining as the Light of the world, so that I…

4.  “Day” represents our time on earth, which is relatively short (“twelve hours”). While we’re on this earth, we want to see the Light of the world. But for that to be the case, and for us to live in the “day,” we’ll need to go with that Light wherever He goes or sends us. How can seeing your life as a Personal Mission Field help you to keep the Light of the world in view, and to see each task or duty within a “Light of the world” frame of reference? Lord Jesus, let Your Light shine in me and through me, and keep from walking…

5.  Contrariwise, if we choose not to see the Light, that Light will not be “in” us. Thus our “days” will become “nights,” and we will stumble about in uncertainty and confusion. What is Jesus saying about our time on earth? Is there a danger that Christians spend more time in the “night” than in the “day”? Explain. Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote for questions 1-4.

Summary
“What did the Lord mean? As far as I can judge … he wanted to dissuade them from their doubting and unbelief. For their words were meant to keep the Lord from death, who had come to die, in order to save themselves from death too. … And so, when [these] men presumed to give advice to God, disciples to their Master, servants to their Lord, patients to their physician, our Lord reproved them, saying, ‘Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks during the day, he does not stumble.’ Follow me if you do not want to stumble. Do not give counsel to me when you should be receiving it from me instead.… He showed himself to be the day by appointing twelve disciples. If I am the day, he says, and you are the hours, is it for the hours to give counsel to the day? The day is followed by the hours, not the hours by the day.… Even when Judas fell, he was still succeeded by Matthias, and the number twelve was preserved. Our Lord did not make the choice of twelve disciples arbitrarily, then, but to indicate that he himself is the spiritual Day. Let the hours be lightened by the day so that by the preaching of the hours, the world may believe on the day. Follow me, then, says our Lord, if you wish not to stumble.” Augustine (354-430 AD)

Wherever we go in life, whatever the danger or difficulty, if we go with the Light of the world, He will shine into every aspect of our lives, making all our life “day,” refracting Him in all we say and do. Stay close to the Light of the world, and you will walk in the new day of new life, rather than the darkness of unbelief and sin. How should you apply this to your daily life – all your roles, relationships, and responsibilities?

Closing Prayer
When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us,
And we are glad.
Bring back our captivity, O LORD,
As the streams in the South.
Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalm 126

Psalm 126 (Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns!)
When God restored our fortunes all,
We were like those who sweetly dream.
Our mouths with joy and laughter filled,
Made Him our constant song and theme.

Then the astonished nations said,
“The Lord has done great things for them!”
Indeed, great things our God has done,
Whose Name we praise, Amen, Amen!

Restore our fortunes, Lord our King!
Let grace like flowing streams prevail.
All they with tears of joy shall sing
Who sow while yet they weep and wail.

They who in tears of sorrow sow
And cast their seed on every hand,
With joy shall reach their heav’nly home,
And bring the harvest of their land.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.