John 11:7

Followeth the last thing antecedent to his returne; which is, his preparation to return, and his trial of the disciples about that matter. This is contained in several conferences with the disciples, to ver. 17. which shall be spoken to in order.

In this ver. he excites and invites to go and return with him again, which draws on the following conference. Whence learn, 1. Such as seem to be but onlookers in the trials of others, may yet get a sharper trial by it, then they expect; for, so much may we learn from this conference in general, wherein the disciples get a trial about Lazarus sicknesse, by reason of their own fear, and therefore he conferred with them, and said, to his disciples let us go, &c. 2. Christ will, in due time, satisfie the needy requests of his own, and will let it be seen that he doth not sleight, however he delay them; Therefore, after that, when the two dayes are expired, he will go into Judea again, to visite and restore Lazarus. 3. Christ may make the first view of a calling, or duty, appeare more terrible to his followers, for their trial, then it will prove afterward; Therefore doth Christ propound the invitation in these tearmes, let us go into Judea again. Whereby he puts them in minde how they had been driven out of it, and yet will have them to it again; though yet, for a time, they found no such hurt by going, as the sequel cleareth. 4. It may give ground of hope, that a calling and duty will not be so hurtful as it appears dreadful, when Christ gives a call to it, and so puts us in his way, and when he offers to go with us and bear us company; for, so is this sweetned, let us go, saith he, importing his call, and that he will go with them.