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"I (Paul) continue . . . . . witnessing . . . . . that Christ . . . . . should . . . . . rise from the
dead . . . . . Festus said with a loud voice, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth
make thee mad" (Acts 26: 22-24).
Today, the present generation among its older members may have a reasonable
percentage of those who have faith that life extends beyond the grave, no doubt due to
their childhood training in Sunday School or church. But even in this age group one
meets many who are quite content to have no hope at all. What however, of the younger
generation growing up? They will be handicapped by lack of religious instruction in
schools and the failing work of most churches to teach from the Bible. It is on this empty
and negative ground that the message of this chapter needs to be sown. The distressing
thought of the complete disintegration of the physical body requires convincing words to
assure a believing mourner that their loved one will be clothed again with a new body
having the ability of a two way recognition and response with friends in that future state.
The strong enmity of the Jewish leaders to our Lord at this time seems to have been
reaching a climax and when Christ said "Let us go into Judea again" His disciples feared
both for His safety and their own. Jesus answered:
"Are there not twelve hours in a day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not,
because he seeth the Light of the world" (11: 9).
The figures of light, darkness and 12 hours to a day are repeatedly used in this Gospel.
Why not write out the words of these references and study them: 1: 4, 5, 7, 9; 3: 19;
8: 12; 9: 4, 5; 11: 9, 10; 12: 35, 45. Like other figures such as water, bread, etc., they
have great application to our present lives and need our meditation and realization. To
walk (in the Scriptures) is our way of life, our thoughts especially (known to God), and
from these our judgments, friends, priorities, amusements, reading, viewing, etc. Are we
not enjoined to walk in the Light of the world, as in the presence of the Lord Jesus, so
that our life in all its aspects conforms to that Light.
Furthermore our Lord's reference to the need to work while it is day (11: 9) underlines
the fact that there is a time in the plans of God that brooks no delay or hindrance:
"But exhort one another daily, while it is called To-day" (Heb. 3: 13).
Whether we are old or young, none knows when our life here will end. The Scriptures
record no hope of a second chance to do what we delayed to do while it was "To-day".
God has a use for each one of us who are His children. May we ever stand in the Light
and so see each step of the way He bids us take.