John 11:4

Followeth a third antecedent of his return to Judea, containing Christs present answer to this message, which consists of two branches 1. What he said, ver. 4. 2. What he did, ver. 5, 6. In this verse we have his speech, directed chiefly (as would appear) to the messenger, to carry back to Mary and Martha, for their encouragement; Wherein he declareth, that this sicknesse tended not to Lazarus death, but to the manifestation of the glory of God, in the glorifying of his Sonne. While he sets down the end of this sicknesse negatively, that it is not unto death, albeit he did dye; It is not sufficient to clear it thus, that it tended not to bring Lazarus to eternal death; For, albeit that be a great comfort, yet it is not chiefly intended here, as appears from what is after positively set down of Gods purpose in this sicknesse; But the meaning is, that albeit he should die, yet not irrevocably, and so as he should not be restored to live, even here again, as they understood his death, ver. 24. And thus also, Mark. 5.39. he denyeth that a damsel is dead, but affirmeth that she sleepeth, because he was to raise her as out of a sleep. Doctrine. 1. Whatever Christ do to his own in affliction, yet he alloweth encouragement upon them; Therefore doth he dispatch away the Messenger with comfortable newes to the sisters. And albeit his after dealing seem to contradict all this, (as there is never an encouraging word given, but a tentation will be let out after it, to try our faith about it) Yet he would have, them stick by this, and would have them look on sweet looks and good words from Christ, as more then halfe health in the midst of sorest trouble. 2 It is an encouragement to Christs own in trouble, that he is a skilful Physitian, who takes up their disease rightly, and what it tends to; So that they shall not perish through want of skill, or wrong application of cures; Therefore, in the first place, he tells them that he knows the disease, what it is, and what it tends to, This sicknesse is not unto death, &c. 3. It is Christs allowance that his people, in looking on their troubles, do not judge of them by the first view, nor by their nearest end (for so the end of this sicknesse was death:) Nor yet by what of their own nature they portend, and tend unto, (for in that respect also, this sicknesse was unto death:) But that they look to Gods furthest and most principal end in them, and to what God (who brings light out of darknesse, meat out of the eater, and life out of death) can bring out of them; for, it is in this respect that God would have them, for their encouragement, seeing that this sicknesse is not unto death, as is before explained. 4. As Gods own glory is his supreme end in all things; so in particular, his scope in sending afflictions on his people, is to make his glory conspicuous in their through-bearing under them, and in giving an issue from them; for, saith he, this sickness is for the glory of God. And albeit God do not manifest his glory in so extraordinary a way, when his people are in trouble, as he did on Lazarus’s behalfe, yet the general holds still true, that he will be glorified in all the exercises of his people. 5. The Lords purpose to glorifie himselfe on behalfe of his people, requires that they be exercised with sicknesse and other infirmities, that so he may magnifie his power, wisdome, mercy, and love, toward and upon them; for, there must be sicknesse, that the glory of God may shine. 6. Were afflictions never so bitter and so grievous, yet this ought to sweeten them, if God take occasion thereby to honour himselfe; for, this is an encouragement to sweeten the cup, and make them submit, that this sicknesse is for the glory of God. See Joh. 12.27, 28. 2 Cor. 12.9, 10. 7. God is glorified, in that his Sonne Christ is glorified; and his glory in helping his people under trouble, shines, in proving Christ to be omnipotent and true God equal with the Father, in giving deliverance to them; for, he clears, that it is for the glory of God, in this respect, that the Sonne of God may be glorified thereby. So that as none do honour the Father, who do not honour the Sonne, Joh. 5, 23. So it may encourage Saints, that the Father accounts Christs glorifying of himselfe on their behalfe, to be for his glory.