Thoughts on the Gospel of John (92) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

Then after this he said to the disciples, Let us go to Judea again. The disciples said to him, Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone you, and are you going there again? 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. But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.
John 11:7-10.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (92)
The Jews' intention was to arrest Jesus, but He had gone over the Jordan, "where John was baptising at first" (ch. 10:40). It may have been Bethabara (cf. ch. 1:28), where Jesus received the news of Lazarus.

When the Lord told the disciples that He would return to Judea, they were afraid for Him. Didn't He know the Jews' murderous hatred better than they? Had He forgotten that they had repeatedly tried to stone Him?

We cannot always fathom the ways of the Son of God. On the one hand there were the sisters anxiously waiting for Him, but He failed to come. On the other hand the fearful disciples were glad to be away from the danger zone, but now the Lord wished to return there.

The Lord explained His intention in parabolic form. For Him it was day, not night. So He had to carry out the will and the works of His heavenly Father (cf. ch. 9:49). He had now received the command to raise Lazarus. No-one could therefore restrain Him.

We too often regard only the external circumstances and stumble and fall. Our ways seems dark and uncertain. We shall get light for our pathway only when we look to Christ and live according to His will.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Lamentations 3:52-4:6 · Psalms 45:1-10