Sickness of Lazarus

    Here we have an instance of providential sickness. Lazarus was visited with grievous sickness, so that he died, for the very purpose of being brought to life by Jesus for the glory of God. This is the interpretation which is given by Wisdom itself—the Lord Jesus Christ. "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." Now, who was Lazarus? He was a true disciple of Jesus. Was he the least in the kingdom of God? He was one who was the peculiar object of the love of his Master. His sisters sent to Jesus, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick:" and the Jews exclaimed, " Behold how he loved him!" Yet this peculiar favourite of Jesus was visited with sickness unto death, that God in him might be glorified. Let not God's people, then, think that they are not the objects of his favour, or that they are comparatively little in his favour, because he has visited them with sickness, or any other grievous affliction. Let the case of Lazarus answer, anil silence all the murmurings of unbelief. Their affliction is for the glory of God, and for their own good. And if it was not to answer these purposes, it would not have been sent. For, though God afflicts his people, he never afflicts them willingly. He never afflicts out of caprice. Sometimes parents may injudiciously and capriciously put to pain with a good intention. God never acts in this manner. He never sends a single instance of affliction in which he is not one way or other to be glorified; and which will not turn out for the good of his people. This ought at once to give them confidence against the power of affliction when they are without it; and patience and resignation when they are in it. "The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower." God will not wound his

    people wantonly. He will keep them from all evil in the midst of all the evils of the world, except when his glory and their good require affliction. Lazarus, the beloved friend of Jesus, was called to suffer much pain in sickness. His sisters, whom Jesus loved, were called to the most painful affliction in the death of a brother whom they loved beyond measure. The beloved Lazarus must suffer the pains of death, that Jesus might prove himself to be the Son of God, by raising him from the dead. But what is still more remarkable, Jesus glorifies himself by the suffering of his dearest friends, when he could have proved his Sonship by the death and restoration of his enemies. Christians, take notice. It is not the revilers and blasphemers of the Son of God who are put to suffering and visited with death, in order to prove his dignity. It is his friends who are called to this high honour. The best soldiers are called to mount the breach. God's children are honoured and blessed by being selected to suffer for his glory. If afflictions were not for the good of his children, Christ would have exercised his sovereign power in the sickness and cure of his enemies. His friends he could cover from every evil, and from every danger. When he selects them for suffering, it must be for their own good, as well as for his glory.

    Let us mark the conduct of Jesus in this affair. Though he loved Lazarus exceedingly, yet he intentionally delayed setting out to visit him for two whole days. This was evidently that Lazarus might be dead before he would arrive. He tells his disciples expressly:—" I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent that ye may believe." The design of all was, that Lazarus might be dead, and for a considerable time in the grave, in order to confirm the faith of the disciples, as well as afford evidence of his pretensions to his enemies. For this reason the feelings of the family of Lazarus must be long distressed, and the sorrow of death must affect them for several days. This was a trial of their faith.

    And the Lord's people are often kept in affliction long for a similar reason. The person whom God designs to raise up from the bed on which he lies is kept long under sickness, and brought to the very gates of death, that God may at last be glorified in his recovery. And when any dies, as he lived not to himself, so he dies not to himself, but by his death glorifies God.

    In this case we see that it is no evidence that the Lord does not hear the prayers of his people, that he does not answer them immediately. The sisters of Lazarus pressed Jesus to come, that their brother might not die. For a long time he came not. He intentionally delayed after the message. But yet he came in time to deliver. In like manner, the Lord may hear the prayers of his people to spare the life of their beloved relation, though he afflicts long after they call. They should ask and faint not, till the event shall show the mind of the Lord. When this is the case, they should submit in patience, and be satisfied that God has done all things well. Even then their prayers are not lost. If God has not given them what they asked, he can give them what is better. He can perfect strength in their weakness, and make his grace sufficient for them.