John 11: Cemetery Words (2) Work In The Day — Walk In The Light

In Jn. 11, after enough time passed that Lazarus’ death would be certain and widely known, Jesus told His disciples, “Let’s go to Judaea again” (vs. 7). The disciples, who didn’t know why Jesus hadn’t immediately headed to Bethany upon hearing that their friend was sick, apparently filled in their lack of knowledge with thinking that Jesus wasn’t going near Jerusalem because of the danger involved, saying, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?” (vs. 8).

Jesus told them that their going or not hadn’t been because of fear and Jesus had work to do that wasn’t set by any schedule of men. Jesus said, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him” (vss. 9,10). So not only are they are going, they are going publicly, in the daytime, and in the light. The threat of harm had not delayed their trip—it was delayed only for the glory of God (vs. 4). 

Jesus taught us to do things openly, in the light of God and being a light to men. This was a constant teaching of Jesus (Matt. 5:14; John 3:19; 8:12; 9:5; Jn. 11:9) as well as the disciples whom He taught (Eph. 5:8.9; 1 Thess. 5:5; 1 Pet. 2:9;1 Jn. 1:5-7; 2:8-10). Let us do the same. Working in the day and walking in the light.