John 11:1-6 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.… I. A PRIVILEGE OF INCOMPARABLE VALUE — to be loved by Christ. To be loved by some is no advantage; their love is carnal, selfish, fickle. But Christ's love is — 1. Tender — so tender that in all our afflictions He is afflicted. We are as dear to Him as Himself. 2. Constant. It is not founded on any mistakes as to our characters; as to what we have been, are, shall be. Men sometimes withdraw their love because they discover imperfections never anticipated. 3. All-sufficient. It has at command ample resources to supply all our wants, ample power to sustain, guard, and bless us, and that always. II. A TRIAL STRIKINGLY SUGGESTIVE. Why did Christ permit His beloved friend to be sick? 1. Not because it was agreeable to Him. The sufferings of those whom we love are always painful to us. "He doth not afflict willingly." 2. Not because He could not have prevented it. He who hushed the storm and raised the dead had power to keep off disease. 3. It was for some useful end. The afflictions of Lazarus were a blessing to himself and his sisters. It strengthened this faith and intensified their joy. III. A FAITH OF REMARKABLE POWER. So assured were they of the genuineness and strength of His love that they felt that the mere statement of Lazarus's sickness was enough. True love requires no persuasion. The appeals to benevolence that stream from the press and pulpit imply a sad lack of faith in the philanthropy of the land. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.WEB: Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister, Martha. |
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