John 11:3

In this verse we have a second antecedent and a more near occasion of his returne; to wit, The message of these sisters unto Christ, whose modesty and care of their sick brother not permitting them to go to him themselves they send a messenger to acquaint him with the condition of their sick brother; And to prevaile with him, they describe their brother, neither from his name, nor from any good in him, but from Christs love to him. And albeit this their carriage, in sending a messenger to acquaint Christ with their brothers sicknesse, may seem to intimate their weaknesse, in not knowing, or not minding (by reason of their present griefe) his omniscience, which might have taught them to acquiesce in their presenting the matter to him by prayer; Yet, as we finde it not condemned that any came or sent to him, while he was on earth, and their doing so, contributed to make his glory conspicuous in his working; so their practice, and the message they send, do afford profitable instructions. Doct. 1. Albeit Christ be looked on, oft-times, as very troublesome company, and therefore men do drive him away, either from themselves, by ill entertainment, or from the places they live in, by persecution; Yet it will be found, that he may very ill be wanted in any place; for, albeit Christ was driven away by the Jewes fury, Chap. 10. 39, 40. Yet he is now missed and needed in Judea 2. Albeit the bonds of nature will not alwayes tye friends one to another; yet true piety will make the society of such comfortable, and make them truely useful one to another in straits; for, here Lazarus and his sisters dwell together, and they bear a great weight in this his affliction, employing all means for his good, and being afterward heavily afflicted, when they succeed not according to their desire. 3. As Christ hath taken on man; nature, so he hath also contracted a friendship betwixt himselfe and some lost sinners; And as he respects all his creatures, as he is God and all mankinde, his parents, kinred, nation, friends, and acquaintance in their several relations, as he is man; and loves all his elect, as he is Mediatour: So it hath pleased him also, as a good man, to bear especial love to some of his own elect, as a man doth to his especial friends; Therefore is Lazarus described here to be, he whom thou lovest, which doth not seclude his love to him in most of the former respects, but yet especially points at that especial love to him as a singularly good man. So also did he love the beloved disciple, Joh. 13.23. 4, Whatever may be the expectations of men upon Christs love to them yet it will not exempt them from outward calamities; for, albeit they might think it strange, that he whom thou lovest is sick, yet both of these are consistent, and may stand together. 5. Whatever mens straits be, bodily or spiritual, great or small, or whatever lawful means they employ when they are under them; Yet then are difficulties rightly taken up, when men look upon them as needing and calling for Christ; and when, accordingly, the afflicted and their friends also do recommend the trial to him; for, such is their carriage, they finde a need of Christ, for help under this bodily and outward trial, and accordingly, sent unto him. 6. In coming to Christ, and employing of him under difficulties, no impediment that may deterre us, ought to be regarded; for, albeit in sending this message, it might be suggested, That, possibly, he had more to do, and might do more good where he was; That being far off, he could not come in time; and, That it was not safe to expose himselfe to the fury of the Jewes; Yet they being in need, passe over all these, and sent unto him. 7. Albeit Christ may make use of a trial, to beget friendship betwixt him and some of his elect; Yet they have a great advantage, who have it made up before; for, this is the ground of their confidence, that Christ loved Lazarus before, He whom thou lovest, is sick. And therefore, if ever men think they will stand in need of Christ, they should make acquaintance with him in time. 8. Whatever there may be on Saints part, that would seem to commend them to Christ; yet true Saints will renounce all that, and betake themselves only to his free love toward them; for, so much doth their practice teach, They do not describe Lazarus as their brother, as if they would boast of any credite with Christ by their worth; nor do they mention any love in Lazarus entertaining Christs love, but they betake themselves only to this, it is he whom thou lovest. 9. Such as do beleeve Christs love toward them, ought also to beleeve that even their bodily infirmities are respected by him, and will be an acceptable errand to come to him withall; for, they do confidently employ him in this, Behold, he is sick. 10. Where Christs love is beleeved, it will be accounted enough to lay our case before him, without prescribing the way of help to him; Therefore, do they content themselves with this petition, Behold, be whom thou lovest is sick, and they say no more. As Saints can never have peace in any condition, till they tell Christ of it; So they know their needs not much be said to a Father, in limiting him to their desires; but when they have laid their case before him to be considered, they may commit the answer to his wisdome and love.