To enlarge Martha's expectations, our Lord declared himself to be the Resurrection and the Life. When we know not what in particular to ask or expect, let us refer ourselves to God let him do as seemeth him good. It is our wisdom to watch against the temptations, and to make use of the advantages of our natural tempers. When Martha went to meet Jesus, Mary sat still in the house this temper formerly had been an advantage to her, when it put her at Christ's feet to hear his word but in the day of affliction, the same temper disposed her to melancholy. When God, by his grace and providence, is coming towards us in ways of mercy and comfort, we should, like Martha, go forth by faith, hope, and prayer, to meet him. Grace will keep sorrow from the heart, but not from the house. Verses 17-32 Here was a house where the fear of God was, and on which his blessing rested yet it was made a house of mourning. The dying of the Lord Jesus should make us willing to die whenever God calls us. Like Thomas, in difficult times Christians should encourage one another. Let us go to him death cannot separate from the love of Christ, nor put us out of the reach of his call. But when Christ raised Lazarus from the dead, many were brought to believe on him and there was much done to make perfect the faith of those that believed. Thus we often hope that the good work we are called to do, will be done by some other hand, if there be peril in the doing of it. The disciples thought that it was now needless for Christ to go to Lazarus, and expose himself and them. Nay, herein death is better than sleep, that sleep is only a short rest, but death is the end of earthly cares and toils. Verses 11-16 Since we are sure to rise again at the last, why should not the believing hope of that resurrection to eternal life, make it as easy for us to put off the body and die, as it is to put off our clothes and go to sleep? A true Christian, when he dies, does but sleep he rests from the labours of the past day. He stumbles, because there is no light in him for light in us is to our moral actions, that which light about us to our natural actions. If a man walks in the way of his heart, and according to the course of this world, if he consults his own carnal reasonings more than the will and glory of God, he falls into temptations and snares. Christ, wherever he went, walked in the day and so shall we, if we follow his steps. A man has comfort and satisfaction while in the way of his duty, as set forth by the word of God, and determined by the providence of God. But our day shall be lengthened out, till our work is done, and our testimony finished. We are apt to think ourselves zealous for the Lord, when really we are only zealous for our wealth, credit, ease, and safety we have therefore need to try our principles. Verses 7-10 Christ never brings his people into any danger but he goes with them in it. When the work of deliverance, temporal or spiritual, public or personal, is delayed, it does but stay for the right time. God has gracious intentions, even when he seems to delay. Alas, that this should seldom be the case with every person, even in small families. The families are greatly favoured in which love and peace abound but those are most happy whom Jesus loves, and by whom he is beloved.
Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. Let this reconcile us to the darkest dealings of Providence, that they are all for the glory of God: sickness, loss, disappointment, are so and if God be glorified, we ought to be satisfied. He came not to preserve his people from these afflictions, but to save them from their sins, and from the wrath to come however, it behoves us to apply to Him in behalf of our friends and relatives when sick and afflicted. Verses 1-6 It is no new thing for those whom Christ loves, to be sick bodily distempers correct the corruption, and try the graces of God's people. (33-46) The Pharisees consult against Jesus.
0 kommentar(er)
