John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work. A speculative question was put to Christ, and this is His answer, "You may think, talk, argue, I must work." The Saviour has a greater respect for work than for speculation. I. A NECESSITY TO LABOUR. With Christ it was not "I may if I will," "I can if I like," but "I must." The cords which bound Him, however, were the cords of duty — the cords of love bound Him who is love. 1. It was because He loved them so well that He could not sit down still and see them perish. 2. The sorrow without compelled Him. That blind man had touched the secret chord that set His soul on work. 3. He had come into this world with an aim that was not to be achieved without work; and therefore He must work because He desired to achieve His end. The salvation of the many the Father had given Him; the finding of the lost sheep, etc. — He must accomplish all this. 4. Do we feel that we must work? (1) There are those who feel that they must be fed. (2) There are others who feel that they must find fault. (3) Others who will dodge anyhow to get off any task. Do be a Christian or else give up being called one! (4) But some must work. Why? To be saved? No; but because they are saved and Christ's love constrains them to save others. II. A SPECIALITY OF WORK. There are plenty who say, "I must work" to get rich, to support a family, to become famous. Christ did not pick or choose. He worked the "works," not some but all, whether of drudgery or honour, suffering or relief from suffering, prayer or preaching. It is easy to work our own works, even in spiritual things, but difficult to be brought to this "I must work," etc. Many think it their business to preach who had much better hear a little longer. Others think their work the headship of a class, whereas they would be useful in giving away tracts. Our prayer should be, "Show me in particular what Thou wouldst have me to do." All Christians have not yet learned that each is personally to do the will of Him that sent him. We cannot work by proxy. III. A LIMITATION OF TIME. Christ the immortal says this. If anyone could have postponed work it was He. Work — 1. While it is day to you. Some days are very short. Young brother or sister, your sun may go down ere it reaches noon. Mother, if you knew you had only another month, how you would pray with your children! So Sunday school teacher. 2. While it is day with the objects of your care. You will not have the opportunity of speaking to some in London tomorrow, for they will die tonight. With some their "day" is brief although they may live long; it is only the one occasion when they go to a place of worship, when there is sickness in the house and the missionary enters, when a Christian comes across their path. IV. A REMEMBRANCER OF OUR MORTALITY. "The night cometh." You cannot put it off, however much you may dread it. It comes for the pastor, missionary, father, mother, etc. The warrior who loses a battle may yet live to win the campaign; the bankrupt may yet be rich; but if you lose the battle of life you shall never have it to fight again, and bankruptcy in spiritual service is bankruptcy forever. (C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. |
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