DAY AND NIGHT
Before proceeding to heal a blind man, Jesus makes an interesting comment to his disciples, drawing a distinction between day and night.
As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (John 9:4,5)
In the natural order of things, daytime is when most work gets done because the day is conducive to work. We have light, warmth and the body is geared toward working during the day as opposed to the night when weariness and darkness combine to make any output challenging. Jesus was however, pointing to deeper realities as he made this comment.
A limited lifespan: The world is running on a clock. The end of the world as destined in the Bible is one of destruction and replacement by God. And time is running out. We are living in the period of grace, where the prophetic Biblical timeline has been put on hold so that as many people as possible could come to the saving knowledge of God. This is the time of salvation, but this time will not last forever. The time will come when the word of God will become scarce, people’s hearts are cold and God shuts off pipeline of salvation, leaving in its wake nothing but the expectation of judgment.
An opportune time: There is a right time for everything. Jesus was acutely conscious of that fact and moved precisely within the timeframe designed by God. And so, he accomplished in a few years what would otherwise have been impossible. That is also ubiquitously true. If one moves within the time frames set by God, a miraculous output is possible. The consequence of missing the will of God and his time, is settling for something less than the very best. As we interact with a world that is dominated by sin, the window to find God’s best is tight. A man conscious of the timing of God can accomplish much.
The right light: While distinguishing day and night, Jesus goes on to describe himself as the true light of the world. The philosophy that Jesus advocated was unique and very few choose to believe and follow him. Alternate philosophies are attractive and easier to follow and so have far more adherents. But it is important to recognize that just like light outside the visible spectrum does not help one to see, alternate philosophies that exclude Christ do not help one to live in the day. Night then becomes a constant environment.
As the light of Christ dawns upon a soul oppressed by the night of sin and desperation, the productiveness and the abundance of daytime becomes no longer a dream but a reality that is cherished.
