Lecture VIII: Bethany, Part IV

Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: and manj of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her. Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and hwosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith untor him. Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.’* — John xi. 17-27.

J. Christ orders all events’ for his own glory. One day, when Christ had healed, a man deaf and dumb, the multitude cried: He hath done all things well.” Ah! this is true indeed of the Lord Jesus Christ.” He is head over all things to the Church.’’ He that died to redeem us from -hell, lives to make all things work togethex iot omx

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“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He telletb the number of the stars; be calleth them all by their names.” — Ps. czlvii. 8, 4>. The same band that was nailed to the cross for us, brings out Arctums and the Pleiades, and guides the sun in bis journey — and all for us. A striking example of this we have now before us.

1. In the time: ‘’ He found that be bad lain in the grave four days already.” — Verse 17. We saw that when be beard that Lazarus was sick, be remained two days in the same place where be was. Then slowly and calmly he left the secluded glens of Mount Gilead, and, crossing the Jordan, came on the fourth day to the Tillage of Bewany. Tbe shady ravines of Mount Oliret wore an aspect of gloom. The village was silent and still, and perhaps around the cottage door of Lazarus a group of mourners sat upon the ground. Jesus and the disciples baited a little waj from the village, as if unwilling to break in upon the scene of deep sorrow. At length a passing villager tells them that I^azarus is dead, and this is the fourth day he has been lying in the cold rocky tomb. The disciples looked at one another, and wonderea. Four days dead! Why did oar Master tarry? Why did we lose two days on the other side of Jordan? The sisters also thought Jesus came too late. “If thou badst been here, my brother had not died.” The Jews also wondered. Yet Jesus came at the right time. Had be come later, the sensation would have passed away — the death of Lazarus would have been forgotten in the whirl of the world. We soon forget the dead. Had he come sooner, the death of Lazarus would not have been known. He came in due time. He orders all things for his glory — be doetb all things well.

2. In the place: “Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem.” — Yerse 1 8. The place of this wonder of grace was also chosen with infinite skill. Bethany was a retired village, in a shady secluded ravine, entirely removed from the bustle and noise of the city; so that there was opportunity for Christ to exhibit those tender emotions of pity and love — weeping and groaning — which be could not have done in the bustle of a crowded city. And yet Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem about fifteen furlongs, or two miles, so that many Jews were present as witnesses; and the news of it was carried in a few hours to the capital, and spread over all Jerusalem and Judesu H^d lt been done in a corner,

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would have derided and denied it. But it was done within half an hour’s walk of Jerusalem, so that all might ascertain its reality. Christ chooses the place where he does his wonders wisely and well — all to show forth his own glorious name« He chooses the spot where to break fhe a&baster box, so that the ointment may be most widely. diffused.

Qm In the witnesses: “Many of the Jews.” — Verse 19. From verses 45, 46, we learn that the company were far from: being all friends of Christ. Perhaps they would not liae come if they had known Christ was to be there. But they were friends of Martha and Mary, and though they did not like their serious ways, yet in an hour of affliction ihey could not but visit them, to give them such comfort as they were able. This is the way of the world. There is much natural kindness remaining in the bosom even of worldly men. Christ knew this, and therefore chose this Teiy time to arrive. Ah, friends! he doeth all things well. Yoa often wonder, oflen murmur, at the way that he takes you. Learn that if you are his, he will make all things work together for your good, and his own glory. Learn to trust him, then, in the dark — in the darkest frowns of providence - — in the most painful delays. Learn to wait upon him. “It is good for a man both to hope and quietly wait for the salvation of God.” He is good to the soul that waiteth for him.

II. The weak believer. Jesus and bis disciples had halted a little way from the village, under the shade of the trees; but Word soon came to the ear of Martha that the Saviour was come. She immediately hastened to meet him. Ah! who can tell what love and compassion must have appeared in his eye — what holy calmness on his brow — what tenderness upon his lips? He was the Rose of Sharon and the Ldly of the valleys. Yet Martha is not hushed at the sight. She bursts out into this impassioned cry: “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” Observe,

1. Her preswmption: “If thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.** How did she know this? AVhat promise of the Bible could she name upon which this expectation was grounded? God has promised that his own shall never want bread — any good thing; that he will supply all their need — that they shall never perish — that he will be with them in time of trouble; W.iiov«liEt>aay he promised that they shall not die. Ou XV^ cqiiVls.,

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“Iflrael nnist die.** DaTid prays: ^’ Make me to know mine end, and the measuve of my days.” And Job: “I would not live alway.”

2. Her UmiHng of Christ: if thoH hadat been here.* Why so? Am I a God «t hand, and not afar off? “h my hand shortened at all, and have I no power to redeem?” She forgot the centurion of Capernaum: “I am not worthy that thou shooldest come under my xoof, but speak the word only.” — Matt. viii. 8. &ie forget the noblemani son at Capernaum: ‘^ Sir, oome do¥m, ere my child die.” Qo thy way, thy son liyeth.* — John iv. 46. Her grief and anguish kept her firom calmly rememberii the works and power of Jesus.

3. Her unbelirf:” But I know that evem now.** — ^Veiii 22. This was mth, and yet unbelief. She believed something, but not all, concerning Jesus. She believed in hn as an a<yvocate and intercessor, but not that ail tkisgl were given into his hands — that he is Lord of all — head over ail things to the Church. Her grief, and confusioni and darkness, hid many things from her.

4. And yet she came to Jesus. Though grieved, she was not offended; she did not keep away from him. She poured out all her grief, her darkness, and complaint, into his bosom. This is just the picture of a wesdc believer — much of nature and little grace — many questionings of Christ’s love and power, and yet carrying your complaints only to him. It was not to the Jews Martha told her grief| it was not to the disciples — it was to himself.

Learn that afflicting time is trying time. Affliction if like the furnace — it discovers the dross as well as the gold. Had all things gone on smoothly at Bethany, Martha and Mary had never known their sin and weakness; but now the furnace brought out the dross.

Learn to guard against unbelief. Guard against presumption — making a Bible promise for yourself j and leaning upon a word God has never spoken. Guard against prescribing your way to Christ, and limiting him in his dealings. Guard against unbelief, believing only part of ■God’s testimony. 0 foolish, and slow of heart to belieTC all that God hath spoken.” -Remember, whatever your darkness may be, to carry your complaint to Jesus himself

III. Je8U8 reveals himself — Verses 23-26. Not a feature of Christ’s face was ruffled by the passionate cry of Martha.

3e was not angry, and did not torn away, but opened up acre of himself than he had ever done. ‘^ Thy brother hall rise again.” He comforts her by the assurance that ler brother shall rise again, and then leads her to see that ill the spring and source of that is in himself. Two things le shows in himself.

1. / am the refwrrection’^ “He that belieyefth in me, hough he were dead, yet shaH he live.” Christ here repeals himself as the head of il dead belierers. (1.) He hows what he is: I am the author r spring of all restor* ection. The fountain of the resurrection is in my hand* t is my voicerthat shall call forth the -sleeping *du8t of allay saints. It is my hand that shall gather their dusit, an j[ sishion it like my own glorious body. All this is mine. Lt my command Enoch was translated. I also carried way Elijah. I will raise the myriads ‘of sleeping belieYers’ Iso. Beiievest thou this? Believest thou thaft he who A8 sat so often imder thy roof and fig tree — at thy table — bat he is the resurrection? (2.) He shows the certainty hat all dead believers shall live: ‘’He that believeth on le, though he were dead, yet -shall he live.” If I am the esurrection, then surely I will raise ‘every one for whom I led. I will not lose one of them.

Here is comfort for those of you who, like Martha, weep wet the believing dead. Thy brother shall rise again, [esus, who died for them, is the ‘Resurrection. That great work of gathering and raising their scattered dust is comnitted to Jesus. ‘’ They shall be mine, in that day when [ shall make up my jewels.” Oh, what unspeakable combrt it will be to be raised from the grave by Jesus! If it were an angel’s voice we might wish to lie still; but when he voice of our Beloved -calls, how gladly shall we arise!

-Sixreet thought to me!

I shall anse,

And with these eyes
HHj Saviour see.

Dh, what unspealiiable terror it will give to you that are Dhristless, to hear the voice of Jesus breaking the long dlence of the tomb!

2, I am the le: ‘’ He that liveth and believeth in me shall never die.*’ Christ here reveals himself as the head af all living believers. (1.) He directs her eye to himlelf: “I am the life.” This name is frequently applied to khe Lord Jesus: ‘’ In him was life, and the life waa tUft

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light of men.” — John i. 4. Fbr the fife was manifestd, and we have see a, and bear witness, and declare unto JM that eternal life which was with the Father, and was maiifested unto us “— “When Christ who is our life ahsll appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.’^-^^CoL lii. 4. And therefore Jesus says: ‘^ Ye will not come «to me that ye might have life.” In my hand is the soucGe of all natural, spiritual, and eternal life. Everything that lives derives its life from me. Every living soul« — efoj drop of living water flows £rom my hand. I begin — I cany on — ^I give eternal life. (2.) He shows the happy eoih sequence to all living believers. ^’ They shidl never die.’ Their life suffers no interruption by the death of the body. Death has no power to quench the vital flame in the believer’s soul. If I be the life, I will keep all mine, even is the valley of the shadow of death. They diall nevor penL Believest thou this?

Here is comfort to those of you who, like Martha tremUe at the sight of death. Ah! it is a ghastly sight when h comes — the terror of kings, and the king of terrors. There is something dreadful in the still features-^the silent lip& — the glazed eye- — the cold hand, that no more returns oar fond pressure, but rather sends a chill through the blood. Ah! you say, must we all thus die? Where is the Grospel now? Ans, Jesus is the life — the spring of eternal life to all his own. Believe this, and you will triumph over the grave.

IV. Martha*$ confession,

1. When her faith fiowed out. When the south wind blows softly upon a bed of spices, it causes the fragraDt odours to flow out So when Jesus breathed on this believer’s heart, saying: “I am the resurrection and the life,” it drew from her this sweet confession: “Yea, Lord, I believe.” This shows how feith and love spring up in the heart. Some of you seek for faith much in the same way as you would dig for a well; you turn the eye inward upon yourself, and search amidst the depths of your polluted heart to And if faith is there; you search amid all your feelings at sermons and sacraments to see if faith is there; and still you find nothing but sin and disappointment. Learn Martha’s plan. She looked full in the face of Jesus; she saw his dust-soiled feet and sullied garment, and his eye of more than human tenderness. She

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drank in his word: ^’ I am the resurrection and the life;’’ uid spite of all she saw, and all she felt, she oonld not hnt believe. The discovery that Jesus maide of his love and power, as the head of dead belierers, and the head of living believers, revived her fainting soul, and she cried: ‘* Yea Lord, I believe.” Faith comes by hearing the voice of Jesnsk 3. Upon what her faith flowed out: Upon the person »f Jesus. It seems probable that Martha did not comprelend all that was implied in the words of the Lord JesHs ibmething she saw, but much she did not see. Still on his one thing her faith iastens- — that Jesus is the Christ, he Son of God. So do you, brethren, when glorious pro-” oises are unfolded, whose fbll meaning you cannot com-^ iiehend; embrace Jesus and you have all; “for all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him amen, to the ;lory of God by us” Much you cannot comprehend, for t doth not yet appear what we shall be; yet take a whole yhrist into the arms of your faith and say: “Yea, Lord, ‘. believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which hould come into the world.”