John 11

Jesus hears that Lazarus is sick and decides to visit him in Bethany near Jerusalem. The disciples know that the Jews in and around Jerusalem are seeking to kill Jesus and think that a visit to Jerusalem is too dangerous. Jesus answers their concerns with an unexpected answer as usual.

"Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of the world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." (11:9-10)

They are being asked to stake their life on Jesus himself. There is no authority, concept, or person that Jesus expects will help his disciples walk the road to Jerusalem and to likely death, only himself. The disciples, like me, are daily confronted with the challenge to find their way through life by the light of Jesus despite the doubters that surround us. But though it is not an easy journey to wait, beyond the death at the end there is life in abundance.

Sparked by yesterday's bible reading and the cover story of today's Economist....

Got to walk by the light!