John 11

Notes

Ver. 25, 26. Not only will the Father grant me whatever I request, but I have life in myself, and do quicken, spiritually or corporally, all sinful men. Every one therefore that believeth in me shall be renewed in his soul, and even in his body, at the resurrection; or, likewise in this world also. And no one that, being spiritually quickened, continues faithful, shall ever undergo eternal death, nor shall his body be always continued in the state of the dead. 41-43. Christ never prayed for power to work a miracle, having infinite power in himself; but here he thanked his Father for this opportunity of demonstrating his Messiahship, for the confirmation of his disciples and the conviction of others present.

Ver. 4. Is not unto death and corruption, but to illustrate my divine power by a miraculous resurrection. This seems to be the verbal message returned to the disconsolate sisters and their suffering brother. O! that believers, when their friends are sick, would take example by Martha and Mary, and prayerfully send this message of faith to Jesus—'Lord, he whom thou lovest is sick!' And O! how certainly does murmuring give place to submission, and fear and sorrow to hope and joy, when the sufferer can say, 'My Beloved is mine, and I am his!' C.

Ver. 9. The Jews divided every day, from sunrise to sunset, into twelve hours; so that the number of hours was always the same, but the length of the hours varied according to the seasons. And as the principal means of measuring time among the ancient Jews was by sun-dials, 2 Ki. 20. 11; Is. 38. 8, a practical mathematician would have little difficulty in constructing, either one dial-plate with movable parts, capable of extension or contraction, on the hour line—or a succession of dial-plates, to be changed at brief and fixed intervals throughout the year, still dividing the absolute time of sunshine into twelve equal parts.—Note, Hence learn the necessity of measuring and noting time, and see how equal are the opportunities of working for God presented by the shortest as well as by the longest life! The question is, not how long we walk, but how circumspectly we walk. The Lord preserve our hearts from fearing and our feet from stumbling, Ps. 116. 8. C.

Ver. 36. The groaning and the weeping of Jesus appear to the Jews incontestable evidences of love. There must have, therefore, been an intensity of feeling in them that removed them beyond all suspicion of simulated sorrow. Yet these sorrows were not altogether what the Jews supposed. For while they, no doubt, sprung, in part, from the remembrance of him that was gone, and sympathy with the bereaved and defenceless sisters, they also arose from the view of the fearful and universal ravages of sin and death, and the darkening shadows of that unbelief that he foresaw would defy even the evidence of light from the grave. C.

Ver. 44. Came forth, bound hand and foot. This statement has been made matter for infidel objection; 'for how,' it is said, 'could he come forth,' if 'bound hand and foot, and still requiring to be loosed?' The objection vanishes when the nature of the grave is considered. When the stone was removed, and the word of power uttered, he, most probably, slided down from a niche in the side of the cave, and stood partly out of the door, and so 'came forth,' but could not move farther until he was loosed from the grave-clothes. C.

Ver. 49, 50. Caiaphas, according to his own view, was merely giving utterance to a common sentiment, that 'whatever is politically expedient for a nation is to be boldly executed, however it may be morally wrong in itself or injurious to individual rights.' He does not assert that Jesus for any crime deserves to die, but that, for sake of the people and nation, it is expedient that he should die. But yet, while he thus utters his own opinion, God, unknown to the speaker, overrules his words, ver. 51, and, in honour of the office of the high-priesthood, of which he was personally unworthy, he employs him, in his bloodthirstiness, as he employed Balaam in his covetousness, and draws from him an official exposition of the great doctrine of atonement by sacrifice. C.

**Reflections.—**Jesus keeps an exact account of all his people's works of faith and their labours of love. But the most eminent piety cannot exclude afflictions and death. Yet if Christ love us, we may boldly apply to him in our distress. And happy is it if our troubles give him an opportunity to glorify himself, and either prepare us for, or usher us into, everlasting happiness. He often indeed graciously defers relief till it become seemingly impossible. But neither danger nor provocation can make him to neglect his work in its proper season. And with cheerfulness and activity we ought always to follow his example. The death of our godly friends should make life less sweet, death less bitter, and heaven more desirable to us. Dead saints ought not to be lamented as lost, but as gone before, to be with Christ, and to be raised with him to glory. —Many mournful changes may happen in a short time. And it is absurd to pride ourselves in our bodies that may quickly become so ugly and loathsome. It is very friendly to attempt comforting the distressed; but only Jesus' presence can afford solid relief. He at once delightfully acts as the mighty God, the object of faith, and raiser of the dead; and as the affectionate man, whose heart sympathizes with the afflicted, and is burdened with their unbelief. With eagerness then should we run to meet him, and pour our lamentations, as well as our requests, into his bosom. Secret fellowship may ascertain his approaching gracious deliverances. For quickly his salvation comes, whenever our heart is prepared for it by faith. And we never believe aright till we receive and rest on him as God's eternal Son and our given Saviour. With eager delight he lays hold on every opportunity to comfort his people and glorify his Father: and with the greatest ease he can grant instantaneous deliverances to either soul or body. No death, no bands can hinder his work. Alas! that while his marvellous works affect some, they should but enrage others against him. And great must be the wickedness of human hearts that can be thus influenced. But none are more furious enemies to the Redeemer than careless clergymen; and nothing more hurries men into plots and practices against him than worldly views. While all things work together for the redemption of those who love God, the sinful methods taken to preserve nations do but accelerate their ruin. While Christ hides himself, he may be sought for different ends; and though he delay his approach, he will always attend the ordinances of his own grace.