DISCOURSE: 1669
LAZARUS RAISED
John 11:40. Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
SUCH is the state of God’s people upon earth, that they can scarcely ever come into trying circumstances without discovering the frailty of their nature, and laying themselves open to reproof from their Divine Master. But in all the rebukes which our Lord gave his Disciples, we may notice a peculiar tenderness, like that of a parent towards his beloved child [Note: Matthew 14:31.Mark 9:33-37.]. In the passage before us he had occasion to reprove the unbelief of Martha: but he could not possibly have done it in milder terms.
In considering this reproof, let us notice,
I. What it spake to her—
She, in her extremity, sent to Jesus, to entreat him to restore her brother Lazarus to health—
[Bethabara beyond Jordan, where Jesus was, was a long day’s journey from Bethany. Martha and Mary had foreborne to inform him of their distress, till they despaired of obtaining help for their brother except from his miraculous interposition. In answer to their petition, he sent them word, that “the sickness of their brother should not be unto death; but that the Son of God should be glorified thereby [Note: ver. 4.].” But, instead of attending to the request immediately, he staid where he was two days, and then went to Bethany, and found, that Lazarus, who had died soon after the departure of the messenger, “had been dead and buried four days [Note: ver. 17.].” Martha, hearing of his arrival, went forth to meet him, and expressed her regret that Jesus had not been there whilst her brother was yet alive, since she was confident, that he would have exerted his almighty power to restore him to health. Our Lord now repeated what he had declared to the messenger, and told her that “her brother should rise again [Note: ver. 21–23.].” She however, supposing him to speak of what should take place “at the last day,” took no notice of his words as a ground of present consolation. Jesus therefore proceeded to speak more plainly, that “He himself was the resurrection and the life: and that one who believed in him, though he were dead, yet should live, yea, and never die. [Note: ver. 25, 26.]” But still she did not see in this, that he who could restore dead souls to life, could also with equal ease restore a body that was dead. When therefore he ordered the stone to be removed from his grave, she intimated, that the state of his body, now putrid, placed it beyond a possibility of restoration to life. Upon this our blessed Lord administered the reproof which we are now considering: “Said I not, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” Then, not being “extreme to mark what was done amiss,” he spake the word, “Lazarus, come forth:” and immediately he that was dead came forth, with all the solemn appendages of death adhering to him; and was again restored to the society of his beloved sisters and friends.]
By the mercy vouchsafed to her on this occasion “God was greatly glorified”—
[How wonderful must the condescension and grace of God appear to Martha, when she saw the request of such unworthy creatures as herself and her sister prevailing to such an extent as this! — — — And what a confirmation had she now before her eyes of that truth which she had already confessed, that “Jesus was indeed the Christ, the Son of God, that was to come into the world [Note: ver. 27.]!” — — — What an enjoyment too would they henceforth have of their brother’s society, whose presence could not fail of bringing all these things to their remembrance, and of calling forth on all occasions their devoutest praises and thanksgivings to their God and Saviour! — — — Thus then did she indeed see the glory of God, notwithstanding her faith, though true, fell very far short of that perfect standard to which it ought to have attained.]
But, not to confine the reproof to her, let us consider,
II.
What it speaks to us—
To us does the Lord Jesus speak in his word, as truly as he ever spake to Martha, or to his own Disciples. To ourselves then we may apply that question, “Said I not thus and thus unto thee? and that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” Yes: and in this reproof we see,
1. That whatever the Lord Jesus has spoken to us, should be treasured up in our minds—
[In his word are “exceeding great and precious promises:” and every one of them is made to us: and it is no less our duty, than our privilege, to rely upon them, and to expect their accomplishment to our souls. For instance, He has told us that “those who come to God by him God will in no wise cast out” — that “all manner of sin and wickedness shall be forgiven unto them — and that “they shall never perish, but shall have eternal life.” These, and ten thousand other promises we should treasure up in our minds, and plead them before God in prayer. Nor should we ever be discouraged by any difficulties or any delays. The difficulties may be designed of God for the fuller manifestation of his own glory — — — and the delays be permitted to endear to us the more the mercies that he will vouchsafe unto us.]
2. That the more we exercise faith in God the more will he manifest to us his glory—
[God will honour faith. See it in the case of Abraham and in the case of Moses: How much more visible were his power and grace in the birth of Isaac when he was given to Abraham after all hope of any progeny had ceased, and when restored to him afterwards, as it were, from the dead! And how did every difficulty that interposed between the first message delivered to Pharaoh and the final establishment of the Hebrews in the promised land, display and magnify the grace of God in that stupendous dispensation! So shall we find in all God’s dealings with us, the more we are tried, the more will his glory appear to us, if only we stagger not at his promises, but be strong in faith, giving glory to him! Only let us never limit his power, or doubt his veracity. If our case appear as desperate as that of Lazarus, let us not therefore doubt, and much less despond: for sooner shall heaven and earth pass away, that one jot or tittle of his word shall fail” — — —]