11:10
Problems arise when we walk in the night, in those cases you will stumble. If you try walking in a place where there really is no light, not even a little bit, it can actually be quite terrifying. Even a little light makes all the difference. So in life having the light of the Lord is so vital. This most obviously comes to us through the Word of God (Ps 119:105). It can also come directly through the Holy Spirit, and the fellowship of other Christians. Facing difficult situations is not the problem, facing anything without God definitely is a problem.
11:11-16
Jesus then directs the conversation back to Lazarus. Jesus told them that Lazarus had fallen asleep, and He was going to wake him. Now this was true, taking ”sleep” as a metaphor for death. However, the disciples, not unreasonably, took “sleep” as meaning “sleep”. This is one of their more understandable errors. Indeed, they took sleep as a good sign, as they believed natural healing processes would work better while he was sleeping. Jesus then disabused them totally of their misconception, stating clearly that Lazarus had died. Now we learn that Lazarus dying, as well as being for the benefit of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, was also for the benefit of the disciples. We tend to shy away from death, seeking to sugar-coat it. Personally I get annoyed (inwardly, I don’t verbalise it) when people talk of someone having “passed”. Inwardly I think “you mean they died”. We need to have a proper perspective on death. Death is an enemy, but it is a defeated enemy. We now get introduced to Thomas Didymus. John is the only gospel writer who gives us insight into his character. “Let us go also, that we may die with him”. This could be taken as a very downbeat statement, or one of commitment and courage. Carson seems to think the latter, but I am not convinced. I just think Thomas is very realistic.
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