If Any Man Walk In the Day He Stumbles Not --- Because He Sees the Light of the World - Part 1106

In spite of His love for Lazarus and this family, Jesus did not head out right away after learning of his friend's deathly sickness. In fact, it was two days later before Jesus said to His disciples, "Let us go into Judaea again." Note the disciples' reaction. The disciples main concern was not about the health and well being of Jesus' friend Lazarus (or his sisters) but rather that if He went thither again, the Jews would stone Jesus to death. (John 11:8)

Jesus' response here is telling. "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbles not because he sees the Light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbles because there is no Light in him." (John 11:9)

In other words, as Jesus had previously stated, "I must work the works of Him that sent Me while it is day; the night cometh when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (John 9:4-5)

Or, in another scriptural example when Jesus said, "Yet a little while is the Light with you. Walk while ye have the Light lest darkness come upon you, for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have Light believe in the Light, that ye may be the children of Light." (John 12:35-36)

Equally relevant to this dialogue is that the Light to which Jesus refers was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah, who wrote: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation [and] not increased the joy; they joy before Thee according to the joy in harvest, and as [men] rejoice when they divide the spoil. For Thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire -- For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace, there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this ..." (Isaiah 9:2-7; Matthew 4:13-16; Like 1:76-79)

Often, commentators suggest that since Jesus was still with the apostles on this earth, and referred to the time as a time of light and/or day, it was a time for working. Doing the Lord's work among the harvest. Some also suggest that since the appointed time for Jesus to die had not occurred, that He could not be hurt, and neither His life taken from Him. Isaiah confirms that Jesus is the prophesied Messiah, the King of Kings, the Word become flesh. And to their credit, these commentaries bring forth a good perspective, when referring to the believers within the early church. 

But we do not have Jesus walking with us -- in the "earthly human sense" as did the apostles. So what does it mean for us today when Jesus said, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbles not because he sees the Light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbles because there is no Light in him." (John 11:9)

First, remember that Jesus ushered in the new testament. He satisfied the Law through the shedding of His own precious blood on the cross. The veil that previously prevented us from knowing God personally (the old covenant) was torn once and for all from top to bottom, and as a consequence, the greatest love story ever told shared -- so that you and I by faith in Jesus Christ might inherit eternal life. 

"And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent ..." (Matthew 27:51) "And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom ..." (Mark 15:38)

"Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith." (Hebrews 10:19–22)

Why? Because when we draw near to Jesus with a true heart in full assurance of faith, responding to His call to believe on Him, being baptized in Jesus name, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, all the while remaining steadfast in the apostles' doctrine, the Light of the world takes up His abode within us. (Acts 2:37-42; Hebrews 10:19-22) 

Jesus told us, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem and in all Judaea and in Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

This is why Jesus repeatedly said, "I am the Light of the world. He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life." (John 8:12)


The Comforter (which Jesus said could not come to us until Jesus had ascended) now lives in our heart. It is He -- Jesus though the Holy Ghost which removes the scales of blindness from our eyes so that we can see Him as He is -- the one and only true God who loved us enough to sacrifice His humanity -- His flesh so that we could enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus. (Acts 1:8; John 1:1-18; Isaiah 9:6; I Timothy 3:16)

He sets us on a new path whereby He consecrates us, washing us clean. And as Jesus instructed, if we walk in the day -- guided by His Word, we too will stumble not because we know and walk daily with the Light of the world. Yes, we see Jesus -- our blessed Prince and Saviour forever -- in everything we do.

"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord; walk as children of light -- for the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth -- proving what is acceptable unto the Lord." (Ephesians 5:8-9)

And know that this same "God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ -- but we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of  the power may be of God, and not of us." (II Corinthians 4:6-7)

Most of all, know that through Jesus by faith -- "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." (Matthew 5:14)

Stand in the offering plate with Jesus.