THE KING’S BUSINESS
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Jesus because o f John’s endorsement, were quick to note the superiority o f Jesus to the one who had endorsed Him. What John had said o f Him was doubtless true, but the one to whom John testified was doing what John himself never attempted to do, working signs. The result was that many who had not as yet come to full faith in . Him “ believed on Him there,” in the wilderness. Monday, June 26 . John 11 : 1 - 3 . W e enter again the happy home in Beth any where live three o f Jesus’ dearest friends, Martha, Mary and Lazarus. A shadow has fallen upon that home, Lazarus is sick, dangerously sick. If Jesus Himself had been there the sickness would have caused no anxiety, for sickness fled at His presence. But Jesus is not there, He is a long way off. Still in their extremity the sisters turn to Him. There was great sim plicity and trust in their message to Him, “ He whom thou lovest is sick.” They do not 1 ask Jesus to come, they do not regard it as necessary, they know that He will come without asking if He only knows that He is needed. And come He did, though not so quickly as the sisters considered necessary and expected. Their message also shows their confidence that Jesus could heal all sickness. And so He can if He deems best, but in this case He did not deem it best to heal immediately. Their words clearly show that the one who is the special object o f the Saviour’s love, may be sick, sick even unto death, and indeed die. There are those in these days who would have us believe that those who are nearest and dearest to Jesus cannot sicken and die. This story shows the utter baselessness o f such a theory. O f many a sick man today it may be said, “he whom Jesus loveth is sick.” That Jesus did indeed love Mary and Martha and Lazarus is clear from the fact that not only Martha and Mary said so, but Jbhn says so too (v. 5).
TuesdayJune 27 . John 11 : 4 - 6 .
How can we explain the words o f our Lord, “ This sickness is not unto death?” It certainly was unto death in one sense, for Lazarus did indeed die, but Lazarus did not die as men usually die, but simply fell asleep for four days (v. 11). He simply slept a little longer than usual. And of every true believer in Jesus Christ when he falls sick it may be said, “this sickness is not unto death.” He may sleep four days and not merely eight hours, or he may sleep many days, but die' he never does (v. 26). Lazarus’ sickness was “ for the sake o f the glory o f God.” (This is an accurate rendering o f the Greek.) So is the sickness o f other saints. In this case God was glorified by Lazarus’ death and subsequent resurrection. In other cases ■He is glorified by immediate healing (ch, 9 :3 ). In still other cases He is glorified by the manifestation o f His grace in the patient endurance o f pain and weakness. W e should always see to it in our own sickness that the Son o f God is glorified thereby. He may be glorified by our get ting healing in His name. He may be glor ified also in our patient endurance o f suf fering through His grace. The word “therefore” in verse six sounds strange in” this connection. It refers back to the fact mentioned in verse five, that Jesus loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus, and it makes the fact o f His loving them the rea son for His staying two days where He was. It would seem at first sight that His love would draw Him instantly to their sides. But, no, oftentimes Jesus delays His coming just because He loves us. He has something better than healing we desire, He has resurrection J o r our loved ones. Perhaps not in four days, but some day, and it will not be long, indeed it will only be a day, measured on the scale o f eternity. It seems long, but He will “come quickly.’ “ Oh why is it” many a one watching by the fading life o f a loved one cries, “ Why is it Jesus does not come down
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