Twelve hours of daylight

John 11: 4 – 10
4When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." 5Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. 7Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea." 8"But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?"
9Jesus 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. 10It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light."


Patience, faith, and determination.

Christ sat for two days before he went to Lazarus. It is through Christ that we can learn so much and this is a perfect example of patience. There is a time and a season for everything, and it will not come to bloom until its season is here. Christ understood this, and waited. He knew that sitting and waiting for the time to come, was more important than rushing in and forcing something to happen. The bible if full of examples where men and women force time. They cannot wait on the Lord, and they make things happen on their own, then are left wondering why it did not work out…..are we not guilty of the same things? Are there not twelve hours of daylight, more than enough time! When the time comes Christ takes action, but not until that time comes.

Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Christ was, is, and always shall be. He comes from a time where there was no darkness only the light of God, and it is to that world he will return, as we all will, and there will be no darkness, all will be lit with the light that is Jesus Christ. Christ knew he was here but for a short time. He had faith that in the time allotted he would carry out his work. We are no different. We each have a purpose here. I know that in today’s world that might seem impossible, when some days it seems that we barely survive……but we did survive. We live on to the next day. We are all immortal, until our task here is complete. It is that faith that will carry us through. The unshakeable faith of Christ. Just as Christ our days here on earth are numbered, while our impact on the world might not be as great, each of us will impact the world around us. We might only have twelve hours, but we will complete our task, the sun will not set on our lives until we do.

twelve hours of daylight. As Christ pointed out, a man that walks in the light will not stumble. Yes the people in Judea tried to kill him the last time he was there; Christ’s attitude was one of determination. He knew that he was walking in the light of his father, he would not stumble. Many in Judea were in darkness; their lives were a constant effort of trying to find their way. Christ knew that when he arrived he would bring the light many needed; he would cast that light on all that accepted him. Christ once again showed that while the light is shining on us, we will not fall. We should all be as determined, starting each day with the determination of utilizing our twelve hours to further our walk with Christ. Knowing that while we walk in the light we are protected form the evil one. We will prevail; with patience, faith, and determination……after all are there not twelve hours of daylight?

Peace,
Rev. T