T H E K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S
429
P aul knew the way into th is “inner circle” (Phil. 3 :1 0 ). “T h a t I m ay kn ow him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellow ship of his sufferings, bein g made conformable unto \his death.” Note th e phrase Jesus uses, “ Our friend L azarus” suggesting intim ate fellowship. The highest title bestowed upon Abraham was “ friend of God” (Jam es 2 :2 3 ). “And the Seripture w as fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it w as imputed unto him for righteousness; and he w as called the F riend of God.” bu t here Lazarus is called “ friend of Jesus.” We know bu t little concerning the home and family, bu t it was evidently th e home of Jesus in Judea. Here it was th a t Mary sat a t His feet while Martha busied herself w ith en tertain ing Him. (Luke 10 :40 ). “B u t M artha w as cumbered about much serving, and cam e to him, and said, Lord, dost thou hot care th at m y sister hath le ft me to serve alone? bid her therefore th a t she help me.” Here it was, also, th a t Mary anointed Him for His burial (Matt. 26 :12 ). “F o r in th at she hath poured this oint m ent on m y body, she did it for m y burial.” The Test of F aith , vs. 4-13. ' “He abode two days still in the same place where He was.” Why did not Jesus send a message or respond at once to th e message from th e sisters? W hat is th e reason for th e delay? Christ’s delays are tests of faith. M artha and Mary sit waiting. No res ponse comes from th e ir message to Jesus. Lazarus dies and is buried in th e tomb. The disciples are perplexed. Jesus had said, “Lazarus is fallen asleep.” Now He says, “Lazarus is dead.” He could have raised Lazarus from sickness by a word, w ithout going to see him, as He did in the case of th e nobleman’s son (John 4 :5 0 ). “Jesus saith unto him, Go th y w a y ; th y son liveth .” W hat a blessed message it would
The development of hatred on the p art of th e Jews is m arked by th ree events: (1) The breaking of the Sabbath at Bethesda in healing the impotent man, and Jesu s’ claim of equality w ith the F ather. (2) The feeding of th e five thou sand) and proclaim ing Himself to be th e Bread of Life. (3) Restoring th e sight of th e blind man, and claiming to be the L ight of th e World. The raising of Lazarus is the crown ing m iracle, deliberately planned, and the whole chapter is essential to the story. (1) THE BELOVED BROTHER, vs. 1-13. Jesus was beyond th e Jordan, where- He had been obliged to w ithdraw by reason of th e increasing enm ity of th e Jews. He was a t work (Matt. 19:1; Mark 10 :1 ). He was m inistering to m ultitudes and healing them physically and spiritually. He was ready for the call to the g reatest of all th e miracles w rought by Him, in which He was to show the greatness of His power and authority. The Tender Message, vs. 1-3. “Lord behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.” A t once we are introduced to the household which He could call “ home” and where He loved to dwell; a small household— a Christian home. Jesus loved th is Bethany family. He loved all His followers, bu t He loved some specially, as He did Peter, Jam es and John whom He took w ith Him on th ree distinct occasions,—.when He raised the daughter of Ja iru s; when He was tra n s figured on th e Mount, and when He was tempted in th e Garden. He had an “inner circle” then and He has an inner circle now, and you can be in it if you choose, for He longs to have those who love Him n ear Him.
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online