John 11:14–15

Christ having thus tried them, doth 1. Plainly, and without allegory or metaphore, tell them that Lazarus is dead, ver. 14. And so that his calling was clear. 2. Whereas it might be thought that he had, by this delay, neglected Lazarus; He declareth that it was to good purpose, and for the confirmation of their faith by the clearnesse of the miracle that he was not there, but stayed away: and therefore he was glad of it. 3. Whatever might be objected, that it was now too late and out of time to go, yet he resolves to go for all that, ver. 15. Whence learn, 1. Christ doth not cast off his own, though they be both unwilling to suffer, and ignorant, but meekly bears with them, and speaks againe and againe, till they understand him; for, Then said Jesus to them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 2. It is an addition to the trial of the godly, that oft-times when their straits are at the greatest, Christ is absent from them; for, Lazarus is dead, and I was not there, saith he, to wit, in his humanity. And this Mary and Martha resent afterward, ver. 21, 32. 3. Whatever may be the Saints thoughts of Christs dealing under their distresses, yet his way of dealing is still the best; and he can give a good account that it is so, to satisfie their mistakes: As here he obviats all carping at his absence, by shewing that if he had been there, he could not have refused the supplications of the sisters, to prevent Lazarus death; and so there had not been so glorious a miracle wrought for confirmation of faith. Whereas now, both his omniscience is evidenced, in telling of Lazarus death, and the miracle should produce profitable effects. 4. Christ can not only give an account of his seeming strange dispensations, but can produce matter of joy even out of the saddest of them; for, albeit Lazarus be dead, and his sisters drowned in sorrow, yet, saith he, I am glad that I was not there, to prevent it. Not that he wanted sympathy, but that he knew how to bring joy out of it. 5. As Christ mindes his own glory in all his working; so he joynes therewith the promoving of the true good of his people; for, this sicknesse and death of Lazarus is not only for the glory of God, ver. 4. but for your sakes, and good. So that Saints will finde his glory and their good still carried on together. 6. Christ in afflicting any of his own, mindes not only their own particular good, but the good of other Saints also; by their observing the proofes of Christ, manifested upon, and to the afflicted; for not only Lazarus, but the disciples, (and sisters also) get good and confirmation out of the trial, and the issue of it. 7. Even such as live under the most eminent ministry, for a long time, and are very eminent in Christs house, and who have seen much of Christ, may yet be very weak in faith, and need confirmation thereof; for, albeit these were called to be Apostles, and had seen the most of all Christs miracles, and lived under Christs ministry, till now that it is near an end; yet even at this time they need help to beleeve, or to be confirmed and strengthened in it, That ye may beleeve. And it is still of general verity, that whatever faith Saints have, yet it needs daily confirmation and growth. 8. Confirmation and strengthening of faith is so needful and useful, that it is not to be thought strange, if Christ send sharp trials, on our selves or others, to bring that about; Yea, a Saint is highly honoured, when God afflicts him most sharply, if his afflictions and the issues of them, be a mean to confirme others; Therefore Christ thinks, Lazarus pain in his sicknesse and death, and the sharp sorrow of his sisters, but a small thing, and not to be stood upon, if it produce confirmation of faith, even in Disciples; I am glad I was not there, to the intent ye may beleeve. 9. As any thing that may advance our good, is matter of Christs joy; so in particular, there is nothing more pleasant unto him, then to have his people beleeving and growing in faith, I am glad, to the intent ye may beleeve 10. Albeit Christs absence from his people for a time, may seem to discourage them much, yet very absence may tend to the strengthening of their faith afterwards; for I was not there, to the intent ye may beleeve. 11. Whatever incouragement Christ allow upon his people, yet it is not to be expected that he will allow them their own desired ease, by shifting their duty for any danger; for, albeit he point out all these solid grounds of comfort, yet go to Judea they must, Neverthelesse let us go. And indeed, if they had gotten their own desired refreshment, they had missed of all these true comforts. 12. Inability and impotency in the needy, will not hinder a meeting betwixt Christ and them, but he will go to them, who cannot come to him; for, such is his dealing to dead Lazarus, Let us go unto him. 13. Christs going unto, or dealing even with the dead, is not uselesse, but to good purpose; for, albeit it should seeme it were too late to go now, neverthelesse, saith he, let us go unto him.