John 11:8

In this verse is recorded how they relished this invitation; They being weak and unwilling to meet with suffering, are astonished at the call, and pretend great respect to him; and therefore oppose his motion as not proceeding from wisdome, wondering that he, who had been so lately in hazard, would cast himselfe in new difficulties. Whence learn, 1. As oft-times spectatours and on-lookers are more terrified with the crosse, then sufferers themselves; So in particular, Christ did endure the crosse, and make for it, with such resolution, as astonished his followers; for, he invites them to go into Judea, when they wonder he should go thither again. 2. Such as are affraid to grapple with trouble, will not readily let it be beleeved that they are so, but will bend their wits, to seek some fair pretence, whereupon they may decline it Therefore do they only hold out his danger, The Jewes of late sought to stone thee, &c. to hinder that journey; Whereas, however it was true, they did respect his safety, yet they were as much taken up with fear of their own danger; as may be gathered from ver. 16. 3. Men in following Gods way, may meet with enemies, that are very near friends; and even disciples may cast impediments in their way who are on a good course: for, even the disciples, who acknowledge him their Master, oppose him in his duty. See Matth. 16.16, 17, &c. with 22. 4. Mens wisdome, or their conceit of it, is a strong rebel against Christ; And it is the great presumption of disciples; when in stead of following Christ, they will offer him a counsel, as if they were wiser then he: for, herein do they saile, when they vehemently urge him with a question, goest thou thither againe? as if he had not considered the matter well enough. 5. The arguments of the wisdome of the flesh, and of carnal fear, are but invalide to satisfie the conscience. Hazards, either real or apparent, are strong motives to disswade our carnal hearts from duty, but these are no sound arguments in divinity; for, they think it a strong argument, The Jewes of late sought to stone thee, and therefore goest thou thither again? But Christ counts not that sound, that men should choose their way, according to their apprehension of dangers or safety in it, but according as God clears a calling, whatever difficultie be in the way; As reckoning that many difficulties will tryst men with many proofes of love; and that, as they but sought to stone Christ, and yet could not effectuate it. So, the Lord can give safety, even in the midst of dangers, when he pleaseth. 6. It is the great sinne of men possessed with the slavish fear of trouble, that not only they decline duty, but are selvish, so that they minde neither the honour of God, nor the good of others, so they may keep themselves in safety; for, so much appears in their declining Judea to be free of trouble, never regarding Lazarus or his sisters need, nor the glory of God, which was to shine in raising him up.