The present miracle is a very celebrated one,1 and affords much matter for serious thought ; therefore give your whole attention to it, as if you were present and heard the words and saw the actions. Hold converse in spirit, not only with our Lord and His disciples, but with the members of that blessed family, so dear to the Lord and so devoted to Him ; Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. Then Lazarus, being sick, the sisters, who were very intimate friends of our Lord, sent to Him to the place whither he had retired, namely, beyond Jordan, as we related in the previous chapter, saying, “Lazarus, our brother, whom Thou lovest, is sick.” They said no more, either because this was enough to one Who loved, and Who understood all ; or, because they feared to ask Him to come to them, knowing that the elders of the Jews were lying in wait for Him, and desirous to kill Him. But the Lord Jesus, having received the message, remained silent for two days ; after that, He said to His disciples, among other things, “Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there.” See the wonderful goodness and kindness of our Lord, and His concern for His disciples. They were yet standing in need of greater strength and virtue ; wherefore He was ever seeking to act with a view to their advancement Then they returned, and came to Bethany. Now, Martha, when she knew this, went forth to meet Him, and falling at His feet, said, “Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” But our Lord replied, that he should rise again ; and then they conversed together on the resurrection. Then our Lord sent her for Mary, whom He loved with singular affection* And she, when she knew this, arose quickly, and came to Him, and fell down at His feet, saying like words to those which Martha had spoken. But the Lord Jesus, seeing His beloved friend in deep affliction, and in tears on account of the loss of her brother, was not able to restrain His own tears. Whereupon “Jesus wept.” Contemplate Him, and the sisters, and the disciples. Do you not suppose that they wept also ? After a few moments, all thus weeping, the Lord Jesus said, “Where have ye laid him ?” He Himself knew this already, but He spoke as man. Then they said, “Lord, come and see.” And they led Him to the grave. The Lord Jesus, we may imagine, then walks between the two sisters, comforting and strengthening them. And they were so consoled by His presence, that, as if unmindful of their sorrow and of all else, they fixed their attention solely on Him. While the three talked together by the way ; Magdalen, we can picture, saying, “Lord, how hast Thou been since Thou hast left us ? I had bitter sorrow at Thy departure, and now when I heard of Thy return, I had great joy, yet I feared, yea, I fear, greatly. For Thou knowest how our chiefs and elders are plotting against Thee, and therefore we did not venture to ask Thee to come. I rejoice that Thou hast come ; but I pray you, before God, do not expose yourself to their snares.” And the Lord, we can conceive, would answer, “Do not fear; My Father will provide for these things.” And thus conversing together, they reached the tomb. Then the Lord Jesus commanded the stone, which was placed upon it, to be taken off But Martha demurred, saying, “Lord, he stinketh, for he hath been dead four days.” O God, behold how wonderful is the love of these two sisters for the Lord Jesus. They would not that anything offensive should be endured by Him. However, none the less did the Lord insist on the stone being lifted up. Which being done, our Lord Jesus, with eyes raised towards heaven, said, “Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me. And I know that Thou hearest Me always; but because of these people which stand by, I said it, that they may believe that Thou hast sent Me.”2 Behold our Lord thus praying, and consider his zeal for the salvation of souls. Then He cried with a loud voice, saying, “Lazarus, come forth.” And he immediately came back to life and stood forth, though as yet bound hand and foot. The disciples then, at the command of Christ, loose him. When loosed his sisters fall on their knees and give thanks to our Lord, Jesus for His so great benefit, and then they take him home. Those who were there and witnessed these things, wondered ; and the miracle was blazed abroad, so that a great concourse of people from Jerusalem and other parts came to see Lazarus. But the rulers of the Jews, considering themselves baffled, began to plan Christ’s death.
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