Monday 3 August 2026

Psalm 93

Background
Jesus and his disciples have been staying out of harm’s way across the River Jordan following an unsuccessful attempt to arrest him (10:39-40). He has learned that his dear friend Lazarus is ill (11:3) but has waited two days before proposing a return to Judea. When he is about to make the journey the disciples understandably warn against returning to the danger zone (v. 8).

Jesus’ reply concerning the right time to do things and the importance of using the daylight while it is there (vs 9-10) is somewhat enigmatic. But John 9:4 is the foundation for it, where Jesus declares the importance of doing God’s work while daytime makes that possible. He and his disciples must be getting on with God’s work while there is time to do so, regardless of any danger. The risk of the disciples 'stumbling' is potentially worse than their dying, where stumbling is giving up in the face of a threat; compare John 16:1-2.

Jesus then explains to the disciples that Lazarus has died. He uses the euphemism 'fallen asleep' (compare Mark 5:39) which – as now – was in common use. Therefore the disciples’ apparent misunderstanding (vs 12-14) of the most obvious of metaphors seems designed to signal just how lacking in understanding they were proving to be regarding the mission of Jesus. Further examples emerge in the farewell discourses later in John's Gospel (John 14-16).

Verse 15 does not exactly say that Jesus is glad Lazarus has died, but it does point forward to the positive outcome Jesus will bring about later in the chapter (which will be our Bible passage on Thursday) and the impact he expects it to have on the disciples’ faith. Thomas is mentioned for the first time in John's Gospel in verse 16, this being the only gospel that singles him out. The words Thomas speaks here are ambiguous in that “die with him” could refer to Lazarus or (in view of v. 8) Jesus. As it turns out, it is Jesus’ act of raising Lazarus that triggers the events that lead to his death and the threat of a similar fate for his followers.

To Ponder:

• Does God expect us to walk into danger (as Jesus did here) even when we could avoid it? Why, or why not?
• Is it good, or ultimately unhelpful, for us to use metaphors (falling asleep, passing away, etc) when describing death?
• How significant has something that you think of as a miracle been in creating or strengthening your belief in Jesus?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, inspired by your example, and the bravery of Thomas’ words, make me willing to make the challenging journeys that you ask me to. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Stephen Mosedale
Stephen is a retired Methodist minister living near Exeter. He served in West Africa and Scotland and was a New Testament tutor at Cliff College.