Time To Go

Time to Go

John 11:7-16, NKJV

Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?” 9Jesus answered, “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. 10But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.” 12Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” 13However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. 14Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.” 16Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”

Setting the Scene

As far as the disciples were concerned, Jesus’ announcement that he wanted to return to Judea came as an unwelcome development. They raised the specter of a hostile welcome for Jesus in that territory.

Jesus responded by telling them his main purpose was to “wake up” Lazarus. But he also included a somewhat cryptic statement about the hours of the day and the difference between walking by light or in darkness. Jesus was using the observation about natural light to point to the significance of supernatural light and the specific time frame by which his “day” was unfolding on earth. As long as the disciples were walking in the light of Christ, they would not stumble like those in the world who had no real light.

When the disciples realized Jesus was finally answering the call to help Lazarus, they were puzzled by what they thought was Jesus’ unnecessary visit to a friend recovering from an illness. So Jesus clarified by telling them his friend was dead and that there would be a benefit for them because of Jesus’ absence during Lazarus’s sickness and death. His purpose was that they “may believe.” Jesus intended to bring his friend back to life, and part of his purpose was to bolster the faith of the disciples.

When Jesus then said, “Let us go to him,” Thomas voiced what must have been the general thought among the disciples: “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” The mixed faith revealed by Thomas was precisely the reason Lazarus was raised.

Getting Personal

In what ways might following Christ open you up to new areas and therefore new fears?

What incidents in your life with Christ have particularly increased your faith?

God knows our faith is always a work in progress. We believe, and yet we struggle with unbelief. Even though Thomas couldn’t imagine a good outcome, he was still willing to go. We often won’t take even that first important step of faith to follow Jesus wherever he leads.

Talking to God

Thank God that he is more powerful, more wonderful than you are able to imagine. Ask him to give you faith to follow where he leads, no matter how uncertain the future may seem.