The Gospel of John: John 9.1-12

Read and meditate on John 9.4, 5.
Jesus made it clear that following Him requires work. God has prepared works for us, just as He did for Jesus, so that He might be revealed in them, and be glorified by them. As Paul wrote, Christians are supposed to be zealous for good works (Tit. 2.11-14).

                                                 ⁴“We ought to work
the works of Him Who sent Me while we can,
while it is day. The night comes, and no man
can work then. ⁵And as long as I am in
the world, I am the light of the world.”

- John 9.4, 5

Reflect
1.  Jesus was emphatic that those who associate with Him are expected to work (the Greek has We where the NKJV has I in verse 4). Given Jesus’ comment in verse 3, what should be the purpose of the works we do? Complete this prayer: Today, Lord, lead me into many good works, with the people right around me, so that…

2.  Recall John 1.5, and meditate on 1 John 2.8. What did Jesus mean by “it is day”? Is it still “day”? Explain. Let Your light shine in me today, Lord, so that the daylight of salvation may…

3.  Jesus was sent to the world to do works, and He was about to do another of those works that both revealed God and showed Him to be God. Meditate on John 20.21, and Psalm 90.12, 16, 17. How can these passages guide you in preparing for each day? Lord, show the works I must do, and empower me to do them, and let Your light shine in me in such a way as that…

4.  Jesus said, “night is coming.” Keeping in mind John 1.5 and 1 John 2.8, what “night” must Jesus have had in mind (peek ahead to the quote from Augustine)? Why will no one work when that night finally comes? Lord, I know you will judge the works of all men, and that even my useless works will come under scrutiny. That being the case…

5. Jesus’ comment in verse 5 appears to have a double meaning, one for the time of Jesus’ incarnation, and one for after His return to the Father. From the time Jesus began His ministry, as we have seen, the day has dawned and the light is increasing. How does Jesus remain “in the world” after having departed from it (cf. Jn. 16.5-11)? How does this relate to John 14.12? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote for questions 1-4.

Summary
“After the resurrection of the living and the dead, when he will say to those placed at his right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom,’ and to those at his left, ‘Depart into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels,’ then shall be the night when no one can work but only get back what he has previously done. There is a time for working, another for receiving; for the Lord shall render to every one according to his works. While you live, do something if you are to be doing anything at all. For then that appalling night shall come to envelop the wicked it its folds. But even now every unbeliever, when he dies, is received within that night: there is no work to be done there. In that night was the rich man burning and asking a drop of water from the beggar’s finger. … Unhappy man! When you were living, that was the time for working. Now you are already in the night in which no one can work.” Augustine (354-430 AD)

The true followers of Jesus Christ can be recognized by their works (Matt. 7.20; Jn. 15.16). Paul says God has redeemed and saved us for good works, and that He has ordained from of old which works we should do (Eph. 4.8-10). Where should we look to learn those works? How can believers encourage each other to love and good works (Heb. 10.24)?

Closing Prayer
I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORDis good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalm 34.1-8

Psalm 34.1-9, 3 (Alleluia [Lowe]: Mighty God, While Angels Bless You)
I will bless the Lord at all times; I shall praise Him evermore!
My soul makes its boast in Jesus – Him we gladly all adore!
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

When I sought the Lord, He answered, and from fear delivered me.
Those who look to Him are radiant; shamed their face shall never be.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

When I cried to God, He heard me, and from trouble rescued me.
‘Round their camp His angel lingers that they may delivered be.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

Taste and see how good is Jesus; blessed are all who in Him hide.
None shall lack for any blessing who in Christ will e’er confide.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

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.