John 11:11

Christ having in general, cleared the usefulnesse and safety that is in following a calling, doth, in this second part of the answer, clear his own calling to this journy in particular, to wit, that he might raise Lazarus, who was now dead. Whence learn, 1. Christ hath an honourable relation unto, and a neere interest in them that beleeve; for, he is the friend Lazarus. See Isa. 41.8. Jam 2.23. 2. The death of beleevers doth not break off Christs relations or friendship to them, but he will remember them for good, even when they are dead; for, he is friend Lazarus when dead, and I go to awake him 3. Such as are friends to Christ, ought also to be looked on as friends, by all Christs followers; Therefore, doth he say, Our friend Lazarus. 4. Albeit death be a common lot to the godly and wicked; yet Christians ought to have Christian conceptions, and Christian expressions of it, and indeed the nature thereof is changed to them: Therefore, saith he, Lazarus sleepeth, which name is given to death, not only because he was shortly to raise him up, as easily as one awakes a sleeping man (and so afterward he saith, I go that I may awake him, See also Luk. 8.52. &c) but also, because death is a sweet sleep to the godly, and a rest from their labours, till the morning of the resurrection, that he raise them up to inherite glory, Rev 14.13. Psal. 17.15. 5. When Christ propounds difficulties to his people, he hath also the remedy in his own hand; and when we are called to study difficulties, he warrants us also to study what he can do for us under them; Therefore, unto this, that Lazarus sleepeth, he subjoynes, but I go that I may awake him. 6. It is a calling to Christ, to go where he may do good to any of his own, were it through never so many difficulties and dangers; Therefore doth he subjoyne this to the former general doctrine, as clearing his calling to this journey in particular, These things said he, and after that he saith unto them Our friend Lazarus sleepeth, but I go, &c. 7. Christ alone will have the glory of the good done to his people, and will not suffer any to share with him; for, albeit he had invited them to go with him, as companions in the journy, ver. 7. yet he will acknowledge no companions in the miracle, I go that I may awake him. 8. Christ will choose that way of working for his people that may most manifest his own glory, albeit it should be a way full of hazard, of delayes, and discoveries of his peoples weaknesse; Therefore, whereas they might object, that he might more easily send his word of power, which might do the work more speedily, as Joh. 4.49, 50. and with lesse hazard, and cause of fainting fear to them; Yet, saith he, I go, that the glory of the miracle might be more conspicuous, as the event testified.