“Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.” But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?” Jesus replied, “There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light.””
John 11:7-10 NLT
The disciples were enjoying their time of rest, away from the maelstrom of aggression and threats that Jesus was enduring in Jerusalem. And then Jesus told them that they were returning to Judea, to a place called Bethany quite close to the very place of danger He had left just a few days before. In their logic, they could see no reason why they should return, because Jesus had told them, and presumably the two sisters as well, that Lazarus wasn’t going to die from his sickness. But then Jesus said something cryptic, “There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light.” In a natural world, there was less likelihood of danger in the daytime, when it was light, than when it was at night, when it was dark. In daylight we can see where we are going and can avoid obstacles in our path, but the same obstacles would trip us up if we couldn’t see them in the dark. But who was the Light of the World, if it wasn’t Jesus Himself? In John 8:12, we read, “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”” The people in Israel enjoyed the presence of the One who brought God’s light to their world, but there was a time coming when the light would no longer be with them, plunging them into darkness.
There was a day when we pilgrims suddenly experienced a transition from darkness into light, a day when we received Jesus into our hearts through repentance and belief. Ephesians 5:8-9, “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true”. Darkness, in a spiritual sense, is associated with sin and evil, something that Paul was very much aware of when he wrote, “Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them” (Ephesians 5:11-13). The apostle Peter used the same analogy – 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light”.
We pilgrims are torch bearers for our King, Jesus. He reminded us of our duty as His followers in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father”.
Being in the light is a favoured place for believers in Jesus. People are drawn to the light because it can bring a sense of security and peace. In the dark there are all sorts of horrors, real and imagined – just ask a child. When we go about our business in our families and communities, what do they see? A dark cloud bringing darkness, depression and misery, or a light bulb bringing cheer and God’s presence, illuminating their lives? Hmmm…
Father God. Through Your Son Jesus You brought light to this world. It must have grieved You deeply to find that so many people chose to remain in the darkness of their wickedness and sin, but we pray that the light we have through You will radiate like beacons throughout the communities in which we live. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 