Disclaimer: This is a very famous passage of scripture, and will be addressed in several parts. However, I do not want to take for granted that everyone is familiar with how this passage ends. This is the account of Jesus raising Lazarus, His friend, from the dead. In the account, we learn that Jesus allowed this all to happen for a purpose. Lazarus died, and Jesus brought Him back...teaching us, and those who witnessed the event, much about Himself.
John 11:7-16 Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." 8 The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?" 9 Jesus 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. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." 11 After saying these things, he said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him." 12 The disciples said to him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." 16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
In these next few lessons, we'll be looking at the lessons Jesus taught through this situation. Today, we'll look at what He had to say about the time we're given in this life.
1. The Length is Determined by God 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." 8 The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?" 9 Jesus 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.
The disciples question why Jesus is wanting to go back to the area where they are trying to kill Him. Jesus responds with this statement about time. The Jews divided time into two 12 hour parts. So, He was referring to the "daytime".
We all have an appointed time to die. This appointment is made by God. Jesus, as He frequently does in John's gospel, is pointing out that it is not yet "His time".
2. But, It's Limited...Don't Waste It; Do What God Sends You to Do! (Same Verses)
Also, we see that this time we're given is limited. There were 12 hours in the day, then night came. We are given a specific amount of time here on earth, and then we die.
Jesus did not sqwander this time. Knowing it was not yet His time, He used the time He had to serve the Father. We should do the same.
3. Live In the Light, Don't Stumble 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."
Jesus is the Light! We are to walk in Him, in His Word. Not walking in the light of what He teaches is stumbling in darkness.
4. Death is Sleep for Believers 11 After saying these things, he said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him." 12 The disciples said to him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."
This is our blessed hope as believers. This is not the case for the lost.
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