John 11:12–13

Christs manner of expression in clearing of his calling, being mistaken by the Apostles, though the phrase was very usual, they urge it against his going to Judea. For, whereas Christ spake of Lazarus death, they understand it of his resting by sleep in his sickness, and therefore propound that this being a signe of health, he needed not to go heale him. Whence learn. 1. Even disciples are ready to mistake and misunderstand Christs minde and words; for, so they understand Christs words otherwise then he meant them. 2. One great cause of our mistakes, is, the aversenesse of our minde from knowing any thing but what we please; and that our corrupt affections do oft-times guide our judgements; for, the disciples being averse from suffering, and glad of any excuse to keep out of Judea, do grip to Christs expression of sleep, to gather this faire pretence from it, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well; whereas, if their passions and distempers had not blinded them, they might easily have perceived, that Christ meant more by that expression; seeing he would not have undertaken such a journey, meerly to awake a sleeping friend out of a refreshful sleep. 3. It is no easie matter to bring even disciples to submit to Gods will, when it crosseth their own dispositions; for, after all that Christ had said, they bewray that they continue still averse from going to Judea. 4. When Christ puts his people to it, they may expect to be tried both on the right hand and the left, 2 Cor. 6 7. and to have both carnal fears of trouble, and deluded hopes of exemption, let loose upon them, to bring forth what is in their heart; Therefore, after they are tried with an affrighting sight of danger, ver. 7, 8. Now, on the other hand, they are tried with hopes of being free of that journey, and by this they are sifted, as well as by the other, and the necessitie of going was the more searching, after such a fancy.