8 "But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?"
9 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. 10 It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light."
Isn’t it funny that whenever we are led to do something out of our comfort zones or perhaps even a bit dangerous we start reminding Jesus of all the problems, pitfalls and terrors along the way – as if He didn’t already know! Telling our omniscient God information that He supposedly does not know is not a really good idea (to say the least)!
“God is Truth. Who in his right mind would contradict Him?” Anonymous
These disciples were pretty confident Jesus had forgotten about the dangers lurking in the place from whence they had recently come. In their humble opinions, it was nonsense for Him to even entertain the idea of going back and subjecting Himself yet again to such harsh treatment. Hence, they reasoned, He must surely have forgotten the incident! Yet Jesus had not forgotten. He knew full well what He was doing. Oftentimes our Lord’s plans seem strange and perhaps unwise to short sighted people like ourselves yet in the center of the perfect will of God lies purpose backed with achieving power. Job rightly tells us that we are so distant from God we can only hear a whisper of His ways and cannot possibly fathom the fullness of His power:
14 And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?" Job 26:14 (NIV)
In His infinite wisdom, God was getting ready to rearrange these guys perception of our Jesus. I love the way God works differently in everyone’s life with each circumstance allowed – how in the world does He accomplish such a great feat? I marvel at God’s Word penned by the prophet Isaiah and how He goes about fulfilling it:
10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. Isaiah 46:10 (NIV)
Jesus gives an unusual reply to His disciple’s efforts to postpone His works – they must walk while they had the Light. These would not have been unfamiliar words to His disciple’s ears. We find earlier in John a similar statement from Jesus:
4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." John 9:4-5 (NIV)
There was an allotted time for Jesus to do the works of His Father just as by extension there is an allotted time for each of His believers as well – Jesus refers to this time as the daylight – night being the limit set. Jesus came as the Light of the world. After His death, His disciples would also carry His light pointing others back to Him. We are told in Matthew:
14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matt 5:14-16 (NIV)
“Our task as laymen is to live our personal communion with Christ with such intensity as to make it contagious.” Paul Tournier
A light is meant to shine and give direction. We are to radiantly point others to the proper path not only with our words but, just as importantly, with our lives as well – our actions more than often speaking louder than our words. We are commanded to pay close attention to our walks making full use of our time in an endeavor to turn others from darkness to the marvelous Light of our Lord. This necessitates one to walk wisely. Paul tells us:
15 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Eph 5:15-17 (NIV)
“The crowning wonder of God’s scheme is that He entrusted it to men.” Henry Drummond
As we walk in the Light of Jesus we walk securely. We are not to be fearful of stumbling or of hesitating in our own minds rather waking uprightly and securely with the wisdom of God’s Word as our rule and the glory of God as our end. We are to be very busy yet all the while very peaceful as our day shall be lengthened until our work is complete. We have the confident assurance of “Every man being immortal until their work on earth is done” as an old saint from the past once stated. Jesus commands us:
35 Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." John 12:35-36 (NIV)