John 11:9-10 says - "Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him."
What did Jesus mean by His answer - "Are there not twelve hours in the day?" Why did He then contrast the man "walking in the day" with the man "walking in the night" - the man who "stumbleth not" with the man who "stumbleth" - the man who "seeth the light of this world" with the man who has "no light in him"?
In order to find the answers to these questions, we must first consider verses 7-8 to see what was said - "Then after that saith to His disciples, Let us go into Judea again. His disciples say unto Him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone Thee; and goest Thou thither again?"
Jesus answered - "Are there not twelve hours in the day?" - in response to the protest of His disciples against His going to Judea again where the Jews sought His death. His face was "set as a flint" to do His Father's will. Consequently, He had no fear of the danger that lie ahead of Him.
What gave Him such confidence that He would be safe in the midst of His foes?
The answer to that question lies in the "12-hour day." Jesus was presenting to His disciples the lesson of the "12-hour day." It was the appointed time for work - indicated by the Providence of God. It was a limited time of opportunity during which the light lasted and work could be done.
It came from the Jews who divided the day into twelve (12) equal parts - from sunrise to sunset. They reckoned and commonly said - "12 hours are a day" - divided into four (4) parts - each consisting of three (3) hours. Simply said - it was the daylight hours when work could be done.
But Jesus gave it a fuller meaning. The "12-hour day" came to represent a man's life ordered by God - the time allotted to him to fulfill God's will and to prepare for glory. It became the time - appointed by God - for "walking" or active work.
"Are there not twelve hours in the day?"
Jesus knew that the "12-hour day" had been given to Him by the Father. Even though He may have now reached the eleventh (11th) hour, He still had one more "hour" to go. No enemy was going to kill Him before His time. He knew that! He understood that! Hence, He had the courage to face His enemies again - in order to do the Father's will concerning Lazarus.
Jesus was a perfect example of One who "walked in the day" and "stumbleth not."
He walked in the "full glare of noonday." How do we know this?
He followed the intimation of His Father's will - taking no false steps. Consequently, He saw His course clearly. His duty was simple - not complicated by adding factors of His own. He had a "single eye" - whereby the will of His Father enlightened His path each step of the way.
Because He walked in perfect obedience to His Father's will, He feared no danger of being killed before His appointed time. No power on earth could "snuff" out His life. It consisted of the "12-hour day" - and He had not yet reached His final hour.
Father God allotted Him "space" - a determined time on this earth. Because He "walked in the day" - having His Father always before His eyes as His guide - He could not "stumble" amidst all of the snares laid before Him. The will of God was the "light" that surrounded Him and kept Him - until that final hour.
Jesus had nothing to fear. He was safe in the Father's hand. His life was a "12-hour day," and as long as He "walked in the day" of His Father's will, He could go fearlessly into the midst of His foes - trusting in God.
And this is true for you as well - as a believer in Jesus - when you walk in His steps. You, too, are allotted a determined time on this earth - the "12-hour day." It is a predestined and appointed season to do the work assigned to you by God. As long as you make it your objective to learn the will of God and do it - to do that to which God has called you - you are safe and under His protection.
Whedon's Commentary on the Bible described it in this way - "A man is 'immortal until his work is done.'"
No devil can take your life before the "12-hour day" is accomplished. No disease has that power. No force of evil has that power. No enemy of righteousness has that power. And no power on earth has that power.
When you were born, you were given a "12-hour day" - a time allotted for you to fulfill the call of God on your life. As long as you "walk in the day" - allowing the will of God to be your sole guide - you can walk fearlessly before your enemies - being totally confident that nothing and no one will take your life - unless you have reached the "12th hour" of the "12-hour day." Hence, you need not fear terror, accidents, infections, nor snares of any kind.
It is when you begin to "walk in the night " -
...shrink back from the call of duty to save yourself
...let both the time of service and opportunity slip past you
...neglect your God-given opportunities for vain amusements or in eager pursuit of trifles
...choose pleasure for your guide rather than the will of God
...allow yourself to be guided by your own suggestions
...live in self-will rather than being faithful to God
...go wherever and do whatever you ought not
...overlook and disregard the Word of God
...indulge yourself foolishly
...make yourself the great objective
...seek supremely earthly things
...or walk in the way of your own heart or according to the course of this world
- that you "stumble" at everything that lies in the way and make yourself a "target" for the enemy to "snuff" out your life prematurely.
In this passage of Scripture, it is inferred that Jesus is casting away the common measurement of time. You must understand that His "12-hour day" consisted of thirty-three (33) years - thirty (30) years of listening and three (3) years of speech. This was God's appointed time for Him on this earth.
For some, the "12-hour day" may be a few hours, days, or years. For others, it may consist of many, many years.
Only God knows the length of your "12-hour day."
However, the length of it is not as important as the completeness of it.
You are given an appointed season - called "LIFE" - whereby you are to do the work assigned to you by God. Your sole "light" or guide is the will of God. As long as you follow His guidance, you will have His protection.
No one or nothing can take your life. Not until you reach the "12th hour" of your "12-hour day." Jesus' example confirms this.
In closing, please note that His "11th hour" entailed one of the most powerful miracles of His entire ministry - that is, raising Lazarus from the dead. No doubt, Satan tried to dissuade Him from this "great moment" by using the fears of His disciples.
From this example, you must understand that oftentimes your final hour can be your finest hour. Don't allow fear - whether it be that found in your own heart or coming from others - to cause you to miss your final God-given opportunity to do His work.
Your day has its 12 hours.
Hence, "use well your time, longer or shorter, and the hours shall be twelve (12), and the component hour shall have its constituent moments sure." (Biblical Illustrator)
Your day has its 12 hours.
How much time is left in your 12-hour day?
Never forget - "Life is the time to fulfill the will of God, and to prepare for glory..." (Adam Clarke)
As long as you are "walking in the day" - allowing God's will to be your guide - you can be confident that - no matter what comes your way - it will not "take your life" unless you have reached the "12th hour" of your "12-hour day."
Have No Fear!
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
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