“We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world …For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” John 9:4-5,39

We have this moment. I’m reminded of those who had thoughts and plans for the future, but whose lives were suddenly and unexpectedly cut short. Life is uncertain, thus reminding us of the urgency and priority of the moment.

Jesus full well knew the limitation of His earthly work. Opposition to Him increased, thus reminding Him of His destiny with Calvary. There was important work to be done while it was yet day - the time of opportunity. The dark night of rejection was fast approaching. As the Light of the world, He knew He would shine in it for but a brief shining moment. This, however, was not the viewpoint of a fatalistic martyr, but rather that of an intentional purpose-driven man on a mission. Undeterred by the whims of popularity, He was clear in His purpose to bring sight to the blind, and blindness to those who arrogantly thought they could see. The miraculous healing of a man born blind, and the reaction of the religious leaders, was a powerful parable.

We have this moment. Jesus includes us, as He did His disciples, when He stated, “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day (emphasis added).” We are His appointed and commissioned light-bearers in a dark world.

It is at least as much about who we are as what we do in that Jesus also stated, “You are the light of the world” Matthew 5:14. Our very presence in this dark world gives testimony to the Light within us, as well as what we do as directed by that Light.

Students of Bible prophecy know details of the darkness to come into the world before the dawning of the great Light of His return. This knowledge gives urgency to our light-bearing: “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day.” There is no greater ‘light work” than that of declaring and demonstrating Jesus’ message of the kingdom of God. With the prince of darkness increasing his work through the nations under his dominion (1 John 5:19), the light of the kingdom of God shines especially bright. Let us diligently work while we have the light of the day.

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