On Time

John 9:1-5 with a focus on 9:4

We all have the same amount of time each day.

As Christians we should use it wisely by serving Christ.

We should follow the example of Jesus.

750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers 459: Obedience

In General Patton’s Principles for Life and Leadership, Gen. George-S. Patton Jr. says:

Picking the right leader is the most important task of any commander. I line up the candidates and say, “Men, I want a trench dug behind warehouse ten. Make this trench eight feet long, three feet wide and six inches deep.”

While the candidates are checking their tools out at the warehouse, I watch them from a distance. They puzzle over why I want such a shallow trench. They argue over whether six inches is deep enough for a gun emplacement. Some complain that such a trench should be dug with power equipment. Others gripe that it is too hot or too cold to dig. If the men are above the rank of lieutenant, there will be complaints that they should not be doing such lowly labor. Finally, one man will order, “What difference does it make what [he] wants to do with this trench! Let’s get it dug and get out of here.”

That man will get the promotion. Pick the man who can get the job done!

God too is looking for people to whom he can give authority and responsibility. Like Patton, he gives people jobs and watches to see how they respond. Most of all, God is looking for obedience and faithfulness.

John 1–11 (5) The Powerful Example of the Blind Man (9:1–41)

Similarly, when the disciples asked Jesus, “Who sinned?” (

John 1–11 (5) The Powerful Example of the Blind Man (9:1–41)

The symbols of light and darkness, as noted at 1:4–5 and at 8:12, were ancient universal religious symbols used to represent themes of good and evil. The symbolic contrast between night and day would have been read by the early Christians in the postresurrection era as a reminder that after the “night” of the Lamb of God’s death (note especially 13:30), the daylight had reappeared with the resurrection of the Lord (note especially the contrast in 21:3–4). The night, however, was to be an extremely difficult time when the disciples and Jesus were separated in the trauma of the cross, and at that time all seemed to be lost—“when no one can work” (9:4).

But that time had not yet come. Indeed, Jesus was still in the world, and he was “the light of the world” (9:5). While the statement is not a complete “I am” (egō eimi) saying (only eimi is used here), the connection with the earlier Tabernacles statement in 8:12 can hardly be missed.

John 1:4–5 NASB95

4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 8:12 NASB95

12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

John 1–11 (5) The Powerful Example of the Blind Man (9:1–41)

The preceding temporal clause translated “While I am in the world” when linked to the “I am” saying of 9:5 functions both as a messianic statement and as an announcement to Jesus’ disciples that his earthly role was definitely to be limited in time.

YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION

"I must work the works of him that sent me."

Walking -

Ephesians 5:2 NASB95

2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

John 13:34–35 NASB95

34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Ephesians 4:1–3 NASB95

1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Working -

Matthew 5:16, Ephesians 2:10

Matthew 5:16 NASB95

16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Ephesians 2:10 NASB95

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Witnessing -

Matthew 28:19–20 NASB95

19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

1 Peter 3:15 NASB95

15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY

"...while it is day."

Now is the time that we have to work for Christ.

We need to labor for him while we are still able.

Ephesians 5:15–17 NASB95

15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

YOU HAVE AN OUTLOOK

"the night cometh when no man can work."

Each of us have a certain amount of time.

There will be a day when it will be all over and every Christian will stand accountable to God.

Ephesians 5:10 NASB95

10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

Every unbeliever will also stand accountable to God.

Revelation 20:11–15 NASB95

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

"Only one life, twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last." - C.T. Studd, a 19th-century English cricketer who became a missionary to China and Africa.

The man in John 9 had lived in darkness all his life, being blind, but then Jesus came, bringing sight and light to this man’s life.

In that same way, the world was in darkness to that point, but Jesus had come, and “in Him was life and that life was the light of men” (John 1:4).

John adds that Jesus “was the true Light, which, coming into the world, enlightens every man” (John 1:9, NASB95).

It seems that Jesus, by bringing sight to this individual, was illustrating how He provides light to all humanity.

At the same time, He tells His listeners that we are to work while it is day (John 9:4).

Jesus is not prescribing just any kind of work; rather, He says, “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4).

He is challenging His listeners that they should be doing the work of His Father as long as it is day—as long as Jesus is there, it is day—the Light of the world is there.

He adds that there is a time coming when the work can’t be done because it will be night. It seems that Jesus is referring to the time coming when He would no longer be on earth, and then He would not be (personally) bringing the light to all—He was making the most of the opportunity He had to do the works that demonstrated who He was and who His Father was.

In this case that meant miraculously healing this man who was born blind. The man’s blindness had been entirely for that moment, so that God’s glory could be displayed.

At that moment Jesus was able to show His power over nature and to demonstrate that He is the Light who enlightens every person. So Jesus Himself was “working while it was day.” The disciples were also learning that they needed to make the most of the opportunity—that they had the Light of the world with them.

They needed to pay attention to Him, to learn from Him, so they could know Him and faithfully represent Him later.

While we can’t “work while it is day” in the same way because Jesus is not personally here on earth (He is at the right hand of the Father awaiting His return one day), we still have been enlightened by Him—He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).

Like the disciples, we should look to Him, and like the disciples were encouraged to do—and like Jesus did—we should also make the most of the opportunity.

Each opportunity is provided by God for His glory, so we need to consider how we can work while it is still day.