George Hutcheson
5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two dayes still in the same place where he was.
In these verses, we have Christs present answer by deeds to this message, to wit; That however he loved not only Lazarus, as they propound it, ver. 3. but themselves also, ver. 5. Yet when he heard of his sicknesse, he stayed still two dayes before he motioned his returne to Judea, ver. 6, This he did, that Lazarus being dead before he came, the two sisters might be the more fully tried, and his own glory might shine the brighter, for strengthening the faith of his people, as will be seen in the sequel of the history, particularly, ver. 15. Doct. 1. As God hath set his love on sinful dust, and Christ man hath by his own practice sanctified holy friendship; So mens pretending and saying they are beloved of Christ, is to little purpose, unlesse Christ say so also; Therefore is it confirmed here, what they had expressed concerning Lazarus. 2. Such as, upon Gospel tearms and grounds, do lay claime to Christs love, will not be repelled nor disappointed; for, they say, it is he whom thou lovest, and here, Amen is said to their claime, Jesus loved Lazarus. 3. It is a great mercy to be beloved of Christ, but it is a double mercy, when the Lord lets out his love on a whole society and children of a family together; Therefore it is added, Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus, which might be a comfort to every one of them, in respect of the rest. 4. Saints sobriety, in esteeming of themselves, and in preferring others to themselves, will never loose them any thing in Christs estimation; Therefore, albeit they mention only Lazarus as beloved of Christ, ver. 3. yet here themselves also are added. Unbeliefe is indeed no sobriety, nor yet is it sobriety in Saints, to shut out themselves from any part in Christs love; Yet when men have laid hold on him, it becomes them to preferre others, and make more noise of them, then of themselves. 5. Albeit there may be much difference of growth among Saints, & some may have moe blemishes then others; Yet Christ doth love true grace in any of his, how weak so ever; Therefore, albeit Martha was more wordly then Mary, Luk. 10.39, 40, 41, 42. and it appears afterward she was not so broken spirited as she, yet Jesus loved Martha, as well as Mary. 6. Christ requires that his peoples heart be guarded against any misconstruction of his dealing, by the faith of his love and seeing love in all of it; Therefore is this premitted, of his love to them, to prevent any misconstruction of his stay till Lazarus should dye. 7. There is no outward crosse-dispensation, nor apparently harsh dealing, but it is consistent with love, and may slow from love to his own; And particularly, Christ may dearly love his own, and yet may delay to help them, even in their extremity, till a fit time come, wherein his glory may shine, and the mercy be more conspicuous; Therefore upon this, that Jesus loved them it followeth, When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two dayes still in the same place where he was.
