In the Beginning: The Book of John

((John 11:9-16[HCSB])

9 “Aren’t there 12 hours in a day? ” Jesus answered. “If anyone walks during the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 If anyone walks during the night, he does stumble, because the light is not in him.”

11 He said this, and then He told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen * asleep, but I’m on My way to wake him up.”

12 Then the disciples said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well.”

13 Jesus, however, was speaking about his death, but they thought He was speaking about natural sleep. 14 So Jesus then told them plainly, “Lazarus has died. 15 I’m glad for you that I wasn’t there so that you may believe. But let’s go to him.”

16 Then Thomas (called “Twin”) said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go so that we may die with Him.”

There is enough time in the day

Beginning this week’s passage Jesus responds to a pertinent question posed to Him by a disciple at the end of the previous lesson: “why are you going back to a place they want to stone you?”

I am sure none of them expected an answer exploring light and dark. Yet, Jesus affirms that He knows exactly what He is doing, and that He is not walking in darkness lest even He should stumble. Jesus also reassures His followers that He is not going blindly back into a place of danger without taking the necessary precautions.

This is sage advice that we should all consider when we feel drawn to places that are dangerous both spiritually and physically. It is not that we should live a life of little contest, but that we should be calculating and very aware of our surroundings (sly as foxes). Notice also that Jesus uses the metaphor of light on multiple levels: daylight and “Son” light.

Jesus goes on to suggest that even the death of Lazarus has a purpose, as does His own delay in travel. In this way He defends His decision to die, as well. Lazarus’ death and resurrection foreshadows the death and resurrection of Jesus Himself.

Thomas, who may be as emotionally zealous as Peter, is apparently caught up in his own grief and proclaims to his friends that they might as well have died with Lazarus. There is evidence that Lazarus was a benefactor and a friend to the fledgling sect.

We may imagine Jesus turning away from His disciples for just a moment and smiling at Thomas’ reckless abandon, knowing full well that later he would be in hiding and would require physical proof to believe his own eyes.