Our Lord delayed his coming to this dear friend in his extremity; and perhaps it occasioned, not only many an anxious, but many a suspicious, thought both to Lazarus and his sisters; yet the intent of this delay was both gracious and important. Let us not limit our divine Master as to the time or manner of his appearance for us: let us not censure him if it be for a while put off. It is to exercise our faith and patience, and to make the mercy more signal and more welcome. At length a resolution is formed to go into Judea; though but a little while ago the Jews had assaulted him, even in a sacred place, with burning malice in their hearts, and the instruments of death in their hands. But when Providence called, none of these things could move our blessed Redeemer, neither counted he his life dear unto him, that he might finish his course with joy. May we shew the like intrepidity of soul in his service! walking in the day, that we may not stumble, and taking all proper opportunities of performing the duties of life while the season of it lasts; and then, when the night of death comes, it will close our eyes in peaceful slumbers. The repose of the breathless corpse, insensible of alarms, and sorrows, and cares, will be a lovely emblem of the sweet repose of the soul in the arms of divine love, till ere long Christ shall come to awaken us out of our sleep by that general resurrection of which this of Lazarus was a figure and pledge.

Let these glorious thoughts and expectations animate us to all the returns of affection, duty, and zeal. Let them teach us the temper of Thomas when he said, Let us go and die with him. Blessed Jesus! how much better is it to die with and for thee, who art the resurrection and the life, than to prolong these wretched days of absence, meanness, and affliction, by forsaking thee when thou art leading us into danger!

17

SECTION CXL.

Our Lord raises Lazarus from the dead. JOHN Xi. 17–46.

TH

HEN Jesus went to Bethany; and when he came near, he found that Lazarus had been now four days in the tomb. 18 Now Bethany was near to Jerusalem, being but about fifteen fur19 longs off. And many of the Jews who dwelt there, came to Martha and Mary to comfort them concerning their brother. So that 20 the news of Christ's approach was presently brought to them. Martha therefore, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went 21 out to meet him; but Mary still sat in the house. Then Martha said

unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here my brother had not died. 22 But even now I know that whatsoever thou shalt ask of God, God 23 will give it thee. Jesus says to her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24 Martha says to him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrec25 tion at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and

the life he that believes in me, though he be dead, yet he shall 26 live; and every one that is living and believes in me shall never die. 27 Dost thou believe this? She says to him, Lord, I believe that thou VOL. I.

G g

art the Messiah, the Son of God, who was to come into the world. 28 And having said these words, she went away, and called her sister

Mary privately, saying, The Master is hard by, and calleth for thee. 29 As soon as she heard it, she immediately arose and came to meet 30 him. Now Jesus was not yet entered into the village, but con31 tinued in the place where Martha met him. The Jews then who were with her in the house to comfort her, seeing that Mary arose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, Surely she is going to the sepulchre that she may weep there.

32

Then Mary, when she came where Jesus was, fell down at his feet, saying to him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had 33 not died. Jesus, therefore, when he saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping that came with her, groaned in spirit and afflicted him34 self. And he said to the relatives of his deceased friend, Where

have ye laid him? They say unto him, Lord, come and see. 35 And as they were going, Jesus wept. The Jews therefore said, 37 Behold how he loved him! But some of them said, Could not he r

who opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that this man also 38 should not have died? Jesus therefore groaning again within himself, comes to the sepulchre. Now it was a cave, and a stone was 39 laid upon it. Jesus says, Remove the stone. Martha, the sister of the deceased, says to him, Lord, he now smells offensively, for 40 he has been [buried] four days. Jesus says to her, Did I not say

unto thee that, if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the glory 41 of God? Then they took away the stone from the tomb where the deceased lay. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, Father, I thank 42 thee that thou hast heard me: And I know that thou always hearest me. But I speak thus because of the multitude that is standing 43 by, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And having said these words, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.' 44 And he that was dead came forth bound (as the dead usually were) about his feet and hands, with grave-clothes, and his face also was bound about with a napkin. Jesus says to them, unbind him and 45 let him go. Many of the Jews therefore who had come to visit 46 Mary, and beheld what Jesus did, believed on him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done, to stir them up to prevent his growing influence among the people.

REFLECTIONS.

Let us by faith continually regard Jesus (as his discourses and actions concur to represent him) as the resurrection and the life; believing, on this glorious specimen here given of it, that he can, and will finally cause all that are in the graves to hear his voice, and to comè forth. A most delightful thought, which we should often apply both to ourselves and to our pious friends! Let the consideration, that they are to arise in the resurrection at the last day, moderate our sorrows for their removal, and forbid our mourning as others that have no hope. Were a resurrection on earth expected, though at the distance of several years, we should consider them only as persons absent on a

long journey, and expect their return with patience and cheerfulness : but oh, how much more certain is the resurrection of the just than the issue of any of our journeys or expectations in life!

We often go, in our thoughts at least, to the grave to weep; but let us not forget to raise our contemplations higher, even to Jesus, who here expressed such tender sentiments of compassion, and went when he saw the tears of others, though he knew he was going to wipe them away by restoring that friend whom they lamented. He afflicted himself, and it may be proper for us sometimes to do it, and to hold down our thoughts to those views of things which may give us pain and regret; if that attention be so adjusted and attempered as only to produce a sadness of the countenance that may improve the heart.

Let the modesty with which our Lord conducted this grand and solemn scene, teach us to avoid all mean transports of self applause, and all fondness for ostentation and parade. Like Jesus, let us in all our ways acknowledge God, and maintain a continual dependence on his influence, to be sought by fervent prayer; and then we may go forth to every duty with a courageous and cheerful assurance, that he will carry us honourably and comfortably through it. Let us but stedfastly believe, and we shall see the glory of God: he will manifest his power for our help; and when our case appears to be remediless, then is the time for his almighty hand to save. Let us adore and trust in him who was armed with so divine a power as to be able to rescue the prisoners of death, and to recover the trophies of the all-conquering and devouring grave. And if we are true believers, let us learn to take our part in the triumph with a joyful assurance, that though we putrify in the dust, and after the skin worms devour our bodies, yet in our flesh we shall at length see God.

It was surely a happy time that succeeded all the lamentations of these affectionate mourners. With what mutual congratulations and unutterable endearments did Lazarus and his sisters behold each other! With what humble gratitude and adoration did they all prostrate themselves at the feet of their Almighty Saviour! But who can conceive the greater transports which shall run through the whole redeemed world at the ressurrection day, when piety and friendship shall be perfected, and those who were dearest to each other, both in the bonds of nature and of grace, shall spring up together to an immortal, undivided life! In the mean time, let us trust our friends with him (with whom, if we are Christians indeed, we have trusted our souls) believing that the separations he appoints are prudent and kind, and that even our prayers for their recovery are denied in mercy.

SECTION CXLI.

The sanhedrim being informed of the resurrection of Lazarus, agree that Jesus should be put to death. JOHN xi. 47, &c.

47 HE chief priests therefore and the Pharisees, alarmed at the

Tinformation that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead]

convened the sanhedrim, and said, What are we doing? for this

48 man certainly does many miracles. If we suffer him to go on thus, all will believe on him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation : will destroy Jerusalem and extir49 pate all our people.—And one of them, Caiaphas, who was highpriest that year*, said to them, while they were thus deliberating, 50 You know nothing at all; nor do you consider that it is better for us that one man though innocent, should die for the people, than 51 that the whole nation should perish. Now this he spake not of himself, but being high-priest that year, he was moved by a secret impulse from God and prophesied† that Jesus should shortly die for the nation, in a much higher sense than he apprehended : and 52 not for the Jewish nation alone, but that he also might gather together into one society the children of God that are dispersed 53 abroad. From that day therefore they united their counsels that 54 they might slay him. For this reason Jesus walked no more openly among the Jews, but went away from thence, into the country near the wilderness, to a little city called Ephraim; and there he continued with his disciples.

55

And the Jewish passover drew near and many went up from the country to Jerusalem, before the passover, that they might pu56 rify themselves . Then they sought for Jesus, and said one to another, as they stood in the temple, What think ye?-that he will 57 not have the courage to come to the feast? Now both the chief Priests and Pharisees had given command that, if any one knew where he was, he should declare it, that they might apprehend him.

REFLECTIONS.

Where shall we find such restless, such causeless, such incorrigible malice, as was in the hearts of these rulers against our blessed Saviour? What but divine grace can reclaim men, when to have heard of the resurrection of Lazarus from their own friends and confidents, who had just been eye-witnesses of it, instead of conquering their hearts, served only to inflame their murderous rage! This is an instance where we evidently see the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. The high-priest lays down a most dangerous, though plausible, maxim, which is in effect no other than this, " That the murder of an innocent person by forms of law (which, as a noble sufferer observed, is surely the worst kind of murder) nay, even of a person who by miracles demonstrated that he was an ambassador from God, was to be chosen, rather than by protecting and obeying him, to give umbrage to an earthly power, which seemed superior to their own." When will the politicians of this earth learn to trust God in his own ways, rather than to trust themselves, and their own wisdom, in violation of all the rules of truth,

*The high-priesthood was not annual, but the many revolutions about that time might justify such an expression.

†The Jewish high-priests in former ages had often been under the influence of a prophetic spirit.

By some preparatory sacrifices. See 2 Chron. xxx. 17.

honour, and conscience? Till then, like this foolish ruler, they will be caught in their own craftiness; and it is more than possible that they may, in many instances, hasten the very distress they are contriving to avoid. For this was here the event: the Romans (called therefore the people of Messiah the Prince, Dan. ix. 26.) were sent as executioners of the divine vengeance, and the Jews were given up to a spirit of discord and madness, the terrible effects of which were such as cannot be read without horror, till their place and nation were taken away; nor could even the Roman general forbear declaring that the hand of God was apparent in their destruction.

Let us attend to this divine oracle which God saw fit to put into the mouth of so wicked a man. Jesus has actually died for the people, even for all the children of God that are scattered abroad. His death is substituted instead of theirs; and by it they are redeemed and delivered, and shall ere long be incorporated together, and all the happy colony be raised to an abode of eternal glory. Blessed harvest, which springs up from redeeming blood! Heroic love of the dear Redeemer, which at the proper time brought him to Jerusalem, where he knew that evil was determined against him! Let us follow him, in a courageous adherence to God and our duty, in the midst of danger and opposition; and not wonder if we are set up as the marks of infamy and reproach, when we see Jesus marked out by a public mandate, as if he had been a robber or a murderer; and find so numerous and grand a court of judicature requiring their subjects to seize this most generous Friend of the whole world, as the grand enemy of God and his country.

SECTION CXLII.

Christ, on his last journey to Jerusalem, prophesies of his sufferings there, and rebukes the ambition of James and John. MATT. XX. 17—28. MARK X. 32-46. LUKE Xviii. 31-34.

T

HOUGH our Lord knew the resolution of his enemies against him, he was determined to go with his disciples, and appear in the temple at the passover. And as they were in the way to Jerusalem, Jesus went before them; and they were amazed at his fortitude. And as they followed him they were afraid. And he took the twelve disciples again apart [from the other company] to himself, by the way, and began to tell them what things should befall him. And he said to them, Behold we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written by the prophets, concerning the Son of man, shall be exactly fulfilled; and the Son of man shall be betrayed and delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him up to the Gentiles; and they shall mock and spitefully treat him, and scourge him, and spit upon him, and shall put him to death, and even crucify him. And yet on the third day he shall rise again. But they did not understand any of these things, and this matter was hid from them, so that they knew not the meaning of the things which were spoken. [But still expected Christ to erect an earthly kingdom.]