Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (2) (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) (3) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, Behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. (4) When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. (5) Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. (6) When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. (7) Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judea again. (8) His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? (9) Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. (10) But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. (11) These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. (12) Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. (13) Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. (14) Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. (15) And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. (16) Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
Every incident in this wonderful relation ought to be regarded with peculiar notice, for the Evangelist hath been very particular in recording it. And very sure it is, that God the Holy Ghost meant it for a subject of great blessedness to the Church.
And here let us admire the emphasis with which it is said, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick! Reader! do not fail to remark, that Jesus hath those whom he loveth. And many such there are concerning whom the Lord might be told, and, I hope, is told, by faithful souls on occasion of the sickness and afflictions of themselves and brethren in Christ; Lord! such and such an one, whom thou lovest, is sick. And may we not very frequently hear Christ's answer by the ear of faith: As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Revelation 3:19; Hebrews 12:5-11
The abode of our Lord two days after he had received tidings of the sickness of Lazarus, appears to have been blessedly designed for the greater manifestation of the miracle he intended. And Jesus speaking first of his sleep, then of his death, and of his going to raise him out of this sleep of death, all these are so many heightenings, in preparing the minds of his disciples for the miracle, as should be particularly noticed by us. His knowledge of his death, and his declaration that he would raise him again, are all so many collateral proofs of his Godhead. The affection of Thomas, in accompanying Christ to Bethany, and his invitation to his fellow disciples to the same, are sweet tokens of attachment to the person of Christ, although in a more memorable hour they all forsook him and fled. Mark 14:50.