John 11:39–40

In these verses, we have the first thing which occurred at the grave; to wit, a reproofe of Martha’s fit of unbelief, when Christ begins to prepare for the miracle. He commanding to remove the stone, her unbelief objects that it was needlesse, seeing he was so long dead, and it would raise a noisome smell now to open his grave, ver. 39. And he reproves this her unbelief, as being very odious, since he had given her a promise, that upon her beleeving, she should see the glory of God manifested in this miracle, ver. 40. Albeit we finde not these expresse words mentioned by Christ, yet if we compare his general encouragement, ver. 4. with the doctrine he required her to beleeve, ver. 23, 25, 26. we will finde the same in substance.

From ver. 39. Learn, 1. Whatever haste Christ make, to releeve his needy people. Yet he will so order his working, as to take leisure to decipher the hidden unbelief that is in the hearts of any of his; Therefore, when he cometh to the grave, he doth not at first raise the dead man, but takes time to have the stone taken away, that so Martha (who very probably expected a very suddain miracle, or none at all) seeing him employ no divine power, but only the help of men, to take away the stone, that he may look on a stinking body; may discover the unbelief of her heart. 2. Christs miracles were such, and so clear, as all beholders might be witnesses of the truth of them, and that there was no juggling in the matter; Therefore, he who could have put away the stone, commands them, Take ye away the stone, to prevent all suspition of collusion or fraud in this matter. 3. Albeit the Lords people may expect wonderful proofes of his power and love, in their need, in so far as is for their good; Yet in any distresse, we are not to expect that, where ordinary means may availe, Christ will work wonders and miracles for us; Therefore, albeit he who could raise the dead, could have also removed the stone, yet, saith he to some about, Take ye away the stone; For that was a work which men could do, and therefore he will not appear in it; whereas none could raise the dead but himselfe. 4. When Christ is about to do good unto and for his people, they are ready to obstruct their own mercy by unbelief; as Martha’s example doth teach. 5. In times of great strait, Saints may expect to have frequent and sore tossings, and that after their faith is settled, they may yet be shaken of new; for, Martha, whom Christ had brought to beleeve after her doubtings, doth now begin to doubt again. 6. Saints who have had their confidence fixed, when impediments are at a distance, may yet be in hazard of staggering, when it comes to the push, and faith is to grapple with these impediments; for, Martha, who closed her debate with Christ by beleeving, doth now doubt again, when the miracle comes to be done, and the grave to be opened. 7. It is a great impediment unto faith, and the exercise thereof, when either new impediments, not foreseen, do come in, and make a new battel; or when carnal reason bears sway in the heart, and judgeth of all things according to its discerning; for, both of these concurre here in her doubting; She had not thought, in her former conference, of this impediment, and her reason suggests that it was to no purpose to meddle with a man who stinketh in the grave. 8. When the Lord is bringing the difficulties of his people nearest an end, he may then give unto them most humbling discoveries of their own unbelief and distrust ever to see an issue; that so he alone may have the glory of bringing it about; for, immediately before the miracle is wrought, Martha’s unbelief doubts if ever it shall be. 9. Such is the frailty and lothsomnesse of mens bodies, that however they have beauty and vigour while the soul possesseth and acteth them; Yet a few dayes separation of the soul by death will alter them so, that dearest friends cannot endure them; Therefore, saith she, By this time he stinketh, and that albeit he hath been dead but foure daies.

From ver. 40. Learn, 1. God doth so order the affairs and conditions of his people, as his glory may be manifested in and about them, and this is his chiefe aime and end in all he doth; Therefore doth he describe the miracle from this, as his chiefe end in it, that it is a manifestation of the glory of God. 2. It is the duty of the Lords people, to be more affected with the glory of God shining in his works, then with any particular advantage redounds to them thereby; Therefore, also, doth he hold out the glory of God, to be seen in this miracle, as rather to be taken notice of by her, then the raising up of her brother. 3. It may encourage Gods people to expect the performance of his promise, how impossible so ever it seem, that by so doing, he will not only do them good, but will get occasion of setting forth his own glory, and that his glory is engaged to do them good; for, this, further is imported in this designation of the miracle, as a manifestation of the glory of God, that since his glory is engaged, she needs not be so anxious. 4. The way prescribed by God, wherein Saints may meet with experimental manifestations of his glory, for their good and comfort, is, first to give him glory by beleeving him and his Word, the want whereof doth justly provoke him not to let forth himselfe; for, if thou wouldest beleeve, thou should see the glory of God. See Mark. 6 6. Matth. 13.58. Luk. 1.20, 45. Joh. 1.50. 5. Albeit faith for present have many disadvantages to grapple with, yet the sweet fruits that will follow upon beleeving, may invite us to beleeve that we may partake of them; for, albeit now the stinking body of her brother do marre her faith, yet it pleads strongly for faith, that if in that case she will hazard to beleeve, her beleeving shall lead her to see the glory of God. 6. Faiths ground, whereupon it may thus hazard, and expect this fair fruit, is Gods Word, and not carnal reason; for, I said unto thee, and therefore thou should beleeve to see. 7. Where God hath past his word, and it is not credited, there is just ground of sharp rebuke and chalenge; Therefore, saith he, Said not I unto thee, if thou wouldest beleeve, thou shouldest see? See Numb. 23.19. 8. Albeit unbelief go masked, oft-times, under a fair shew of humility, or the like commendable disposition; Yet, in Christs account, it is an evil not to be tolerated, but sharply reproved, and an evil that would be quickly removed, that it get not leave to take root; Therefore doth he so sharply and so speedily rebuke it.