Living in the Light
We can’t be a light if we don’t have the light. Walking in the dark is no fun unless you’re a kid playing hide and seek. We need light to show us which way to go and what’s right or wrong. Living in the light is not a passive choice. We have to believe in the light to be able to be a light.
Bible Reading of the Day: John 11-12
In John 11 we see the miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. And we see our compassionate Savior weeping over his beloved friend, Lazarus.
Death is a grim reality for us all. There is a 100% death rate, and the God of this universe even subjected Himself to this reality, though He was perfect.
Adam and Eve’s choice in the Garden brought the curse upon us all, but death no longer has any sting for those who have accepted the substitutionary death on our behalf by Jesus Christ our Savior.
So death is a part of this fallen world, but when people get angry with god over death, it is all our fault. God is still compassionate just as we see Jesus weep. And God is our comfort when we lose those we love.
Living in the Light—How We Walk Matters
Jesus is encouraging his disciples with an analogy about light several times in these chapters.
John 11:9-10
9 “Aren’t there twelve hours in a day?” Jesus answered. “If anyone walks during the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks during the night, he does stumble, because the light is not in him.”
John 12:35-36
“35 Jesus answered, “The light will be with you only a little longer. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he’s going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become children of light.” Jesus said this, then went away and hid from them.”
We need a light to be able to see. I know when I read now, it is harder to read when there is insufficient light. But sometimes people can claim to have the light but do deeds that are not a part of the light. What then?
Living in the Light—We have to believe in the light to be able to be a light.
John 12:46
“46 I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me would not remain in darkness.”
What is troubling in this Gospel is that those who believed in God were the very ones trying to kill Jesus, as well as Lazarus. People can be a part of the culture of faith without having the light of that faith truly inside of them.
And many things keep people from coming to the light, that is Jesus Christ and His word.
#1 Fear of man/man ‘s praise
John 12: 42-43
“42 Nevertheless, many did believe in him even among the rulers, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, so that they would not be banned from the synagogue. 43 For they loved human praise more than praise from God.”
Friends, don’t let anyone or anything keep you from the light.
Without realizing it, darkness can slip into our mind and lives.
#2 Jealousy or sin can keep us from the light
John 11:45-48
“45 Therefore, many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what he did believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and were saying, “What are we going to do since this man is doing many signs? 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
Scripture of the Day: John 11:25-27
25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”
Friends, do you have the light? We don’t have to walk in darkness anymore. Sometimes things can get confusing and some things look like the light but they take us away by degrees. But the light of God’s word brings us back on track again.
Application
- Don’t let the fear of man or sin keep you from walking in the light.
- Walking in the darkness ruins lives.
- Believing in the light and having the light are two different things.
- We don’t have the light if we don’t live it out.
7-Fold One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Day #230: John 11-12
Scripture of the Day: John 11:25-27
Listen: https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/John.11
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