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The Desire of Ages
My twelve hours of day are not yet ended. I have entered upon the last
remnant of My day; but while any of this remains, I am safe.
“If any man walk in the day,” He continued, “he stumbleth not,
because he seeth the light of this world.” He who does the will of God,
who walks in the path that God has marked out, cannot stumble and
fall. The light of God’s guiding Spirit gives him a clear perception of
his duty, and leads him aright till the close of his work. “But if a man
walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.” He
who walks in a path of his own choosing, where God has not called
him, will stumble. For him day is turned into night, and wherever he
may be, he is not secure.
“These things said He: and after that He saith unto them, Our
friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep.”
“Our friend Lazarus sleepeth.” How touching the words! how full of
sympathy! In the thought of the peril their Master was about to incur
by going to Jerusalem, the disciples had almost forgotten the bereaved
family at Bethany. But not so Christ. The disciples felt rebuked. They
had been disappointed because Christ did not respond more promptly
to the message. They had been tempted to think that He had not the
tender love for Lazarus and his sisters that they had thought He had, or
He would have hastened back with the messenger. But the words, “Our
friend Lazarus sleepeth,” awakened right feelings in their minds. They
were convinced that Christ had not forgotten His suffering friends.
“Then said His disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. How-
beit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that He had spoken
of taking of rest in sleep.” Christ represents death as a sleep to His
believing children. Their life is hid with Christ in God, and until the
last trump shall sound those who die will sleep in Him.
“Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am
glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe;
nevertheless let us go unto him.” Thomas could see nothing but death
in store for his Master if he went to Judea; but he girded up his spirit,
and said to the other disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with
Him.” He knew the hatred of the Jews toward Christ. It was their
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purpose to compass His death, but this purpose had not succeeded,
because some of His allotted time still remained. During this time
Jesus had the guardianship of heavenly angels; and even in the regions